Driving, Day 2

Today we drive from St. George to Disneyland. Here is the long story, in its entirety. You can read this to pass the time as we drive along today:

Family Disneyland Chaos Trip

It was a sunny Saturday morning when four families from Utah embarked on an epic journey to the happiest place on Earth: Disneyland. The first stop? St. George, a desert oasis where they would all rendezvous and spend the night before continuing to Anaheim. Each family had a unique adventure on the long drive to St. George, filled with laughter, chaos, and more than a few bathroom breaks.

The Christensen Family from Orem

Steve and Mandy Christensen packed their minivan with military precision, fitting luggage, snacks, and their four children, Jenna, Zac, Trevor, and Gage, like Tetris pieces. The drive from Orem to St. George was set to be around four hours, but with kids, it felt like planning for a cross-country trek.

"Are we there yet?" Gage asked, ten minutes into the drive.

"No, buddy, not yet," Steve replied, smiling through gritted teeth.

Jenna and Zac had already started bickering over the middle seat, while Trevor loudly played a video game, the sounds of explosions filling the car.

"Turn that down!" Mandy said for the third time, handing Gage another juice box. "And Jenna, let your brother sit there for a while."

"I have to pee!" Gage announced loudly, half an hour in. Steve sighed and pulled off at the nearest gas station.

"Pit stop number one," Steve muttered. They were off to a great start.

Back on the road, they managed another hour of relatively peaceful driving, the kids entertained by movies and snacks. However, it wasn't long before the next crisis struck.

"Mom, Trevor took my headphones!" Zac complained.

"No, I didn't! They're mine!" Trevor shot back.

"Both of you, enough," Mandy said sternly. "Trevor, give Zac his headphones."

"But I need them for my game!" Trevor whined.

"Then play your game without sound," Steve interjected. "We're not stopping again."

The squabble settled, and Mandy leaned back with a sigh. "Why did we think this was a good idea again?"

"Because Disneyland is worth it," Steve said, more to convince himself than anyone else.

The Diaz Family from Vineyard

Lissa and Christian Diaz had the enviable task of wrangling their six children into their SUV. Christian Jr., Kaiden, Reagan, Roman, Titan, and Lincoln were excitedly bouncing off the walls, quite literally, as Christian tried to load the last suitcase.

"Is everyone in?" Lissa called out, doing a quick headcount.

"Wait, where’s Lincoln?" Christian asked, looking around.

"He's hiding in the trunk," Reagan giggled.

"Linc, get out of there," Christian said, shaking his head.

Finally on the road, they were barely out of Vineyard when Titan and Roman started arguing over a toy.

"He took my dinosaur!" Titan yelled.

"Did not!" Roman retorted, clutching the toy to his chest.

"Here we go," Lissa said, turning up the radio to drown out the din.

An hour into the drive, the SUV became a cacophony of snack requests, bathroom pleas, and general chaos.

"Mom, I'm hungry!" Kaiden called from the back.

"Here, have some crackers," Lissa said, passing back a box.

"I don't want crackers. I want a burger!" Kaiden protested.

"We'll get burgers in St. George," Christian promised, hoping to stave off a mutiny.

Lincoln, the youngest, started a round of the ever-popular "Why?" game.

"Why is the sky blue?"

"Because of the way the atmosphere scatters sunlight," Lissa answered patiently.

"Why?"

"Because of science," Christian said, hoping that would end it.

"Why?"

"Because... magic," Christian finally said, throwing up his hands.

"Cool!" Lincoln said, satisfied for the moment.

The First Christensen Family from Blanding

Meanwhile, in Blanding, Jeff and Lisa Christensen had a quieter, albeit still chaotic, start with their three children, Parkar, Amelia, and Branson. Jeff double-checked the car seats and made sure everyone had their travel pillows.

"Ready for an adventure?" Jeff asked cheerfully.

"Adventure!" Amelia squealed, clapping her hands.

"Can we get ice cream on the way?" Parkar asked, hopeful.

"We'll see," Lisa said, knowing full well that ice cream would probably end up smeared all over the car.

As they drove, the kids played I Spy and sang along to their favorite songs. Branson, the youngest, kept pointing at random things and declaring, "I spy something green!"

"Is it a tree?" Jeff asked, chuckling.

"How did you know?" Branson replied, eyes wide with surprise.

About two hours in, Amelia announced she felt car sick. Jeff quickly pulled over, and they all got out to stretch their legs.

"Feeling better, sweetie?" Lisa asked, rubbing Amelia's back.

"A little," Amelia said, her face pale.

"Let's take a short walk," Jeff suggested. "Get some fresh air."

After a quick stroll, they were back on the road. Amelia seemed to be feeling better, and the kids resumed their games and songs.

"Remember, no more ice cream talk until we get there," Lisa reminded, giving Parkar a knowing look.

The Second Christensen Family from Blanding

Not far behind, Scot and Julene Christensen were embarking on their own journey with their two boys, Kevin and Brandon. Their car was filled with excitement and a bit of sibling rivalry as well.

"Dad, can we play the license plate game?" Kevin asked.

"Sure, why not?" Scot replied, adjusting his sunglasses. "But no cheating this time!"

"How do you cheat at the license plate game?" Julene asked, laughing.

"Kevin just makes up states," Brandon said, rolling his eyes.

"No, I don’t!" Kevin protested, crossing his arms.

As they drove on, Brandon kept a tally of the different states they saw, while Kevin kept insisting he saw Hawaii plates, despite being in the middle of the desert.

"Dad, look! Alaska!" Kevin shouted, pointing to a plate.

"That's Arizona, buddy," Scot said, laughing.

Julene smiled, shaking her head. "This is going to be a long drive."

An hour later, they pulled into a rest stop for a quick break. The boys raced each other to the vending machines, while Scot and Julene stretched and took in the scenery.

"At least they're getting along for now," Julene said, sipping her coffee.

"Let's hope it lasts," Scot replied, watching the boys with a mix of amusement and apprehension.

Converging in St. George

After several hours, multiple snack breaks, and countless rounds of "Are we there yet?", the four families finally converged at a rest area in St. George. There were joyful reunions, children running around, and parents sharing tales of their respective journeys.

"I don't think I've heard 'Baby Shark' that many times in my life," Steve said, shaking his head.

"Consider yourself lucky," Christian replied. "Try six kids all wanting to sing different songs at the same time."

Jeff laughed, "We played I Spy for an hour, and it was always something green."

Scot nodded, "Kevin swears he saw a license plate from Hawaii. I’m starting to think he might need glasses."

As they reloaded the kids into their cars, the families shared a collective sigh of relief. They made their way to the hotel, a humble but comfortable establishment, perfect for their overnight stay.

Hotel Hijinks

The first order of business after checking in was a trip to the hotel pool. The kids changed into their swimsuits faster than the parents could say "sunscreen."

Jenna, Zac, Trevor, and Gage were the first to cannonball into the pool, splashing water everywhere. Lincoln, attempting to mimic the older kids, belly-flopped, causing a wave that soaked Lissa.

"Well, that was refreshing," Lissa said, wringing out her shirt.

Amelia and Branson decided the hot tub was more their speed. However, they discovered quickly that the temperature was more intense than they expected. Amelia, attempting to show bravery, dipped a toe in and yelped, causing Branson to giggle uncontrollably.

"I dare you to stay in for ten seconds," Branson challenged.

"You're on!" Amelia replied, her competitive spirit ignited. She managed eight seconds before jumping out, her face a mix of triumph and discomfort.

Meanwhile, Scot and Christian were attempting to relax in the hot tub when Kevin and Brandon decided it would be the perfect place for their underwater acrobatics.

"Look, Dad, I can do a handstand!" Kevin exclaimed, promptly tipping over and splashing everyone.

"Okay, new rule," Scot said, laughing. "No acrobatics in the hot tub."

As the evening approached, the parents managed to corral their waterlogged kids and get them dried off and dressed for dinner. They piled into their cars once more, heading to the local Cracker Barrel restaurant.

Dinner at the Cracker Barrel

The Cracker Barrel was bustling with activity, but the families managed to secure a large table in the back. The kids immediately took to the peg games on the tables, trying to outsmart each other.

"Look, I did it!" Zac shouted, holding up the triangular peg board triumphantly.

"That's because you cheated," Jenna accused, narrowing her eyes.

"No, I didn't!" Zac retorted, shoving the board away.

Meanwhile, the adults were trying to make sense of the extensive menu. Steve and Christian debated the merits of chicken fried steak versus pot roast, while Mandy and Lissa tried to decide if they had the energy for dessert.

"I think I might just fall asleep in my mashed potatoes," Lisa said, stifling a yawn.

The food arrived, and chaos ensued. Kaiden and Roman decided to have a race to see who could eat the most biscuits, while Parkar discovered the joys of chicken and dumplings, attempting to share his enthusiasm with everyone within earshot.

"Try this, it's amazing!" Parkar said, offering a spoonful to a bewildered Jeff.

"Thanks, buddy, but I think I'll stick with my meatloaf," Jeff said, laughing.

At the other end of the table, Amelia managed to spill her lemonade, causing a chain reaction as Trevor knocked over his milk trying to avoid the spreading puddle. The waitress arrived just in time to see the mess and chuckled as she handed over a stack of napkins.

"Looks like you're having quite the adventure," she said, smiling sympathetically.

"That's one way to put it," Julene said, shaking her head.

As the meal wound down, the parents exchanged weary but happy glances. Despite the mishaps and mayhem, they knew these were the moments that would become cherished memories.

"Ready for bed, kids?" Steve asked, knowing full well the answer.

"Can we watch a movie?" Gage asked, eyes wide with hope.

"Maybe a short one," Mandy conceded, knowing it would be the quickest way to get them settled.

Back at the hotel, the families gathered in one of the larger rooms for a final bit of togetherness before bed. The kids, worn out from the day's excitement, snuggled into blankets and pillows as a Disney movie played softly on the TV.

As the credits rolled and the last of the popcorn was eaten, the parents ushered their children to their respective rooms, whispering goodnights and sweet dreams.

"Tomorrow, the real adventure begins," Steve said, kissing Jenna on the forehead.

"Can't wait," Jenna murmured, already half-asleep.

With the promise of Disneyland on the horizon, the families drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the magic that awaited them just a few hours down the road.

The Great Caravan to Anaheim

The morning sun peeked through the curtains of the hotel rooms in St. George, signaling the start of another leg of the journey for the four Utah families. After a quick breakfast, they gathered in the parking lot, ready to form a caravan for the drive to Anaheim. Steve, Mandy, and their four kids; Lissa, Christian, and their six kids; Jeff, Lisa, and their three kids; and Scot, Julene, and their two kids piled into their vehicles with renewed energy and excitement.

Mesquite Memories

As the convoy hit the road, they made good time to Mesquite, NV. The adults reminisced about vacations from their childhood, staying at the Peppermill Hotel back in the 1980s.

"Remember the Peppermill?" Jeff asked over the walkie-talkie they were using to stay in touch between cars.

"How could I forget?" Scot replied. "That place was like our Disneyland before we could afford the real thing."

Lissa laughed. "I think my parents took us there every summer for five years straight. The pool seemed enormous back then."

"I bet the pool is the same size," Christian said, "we just got bigger."

As they drove past Mesquite, the children listened with half-interest, more focused on their devices and games. The adults smiled at the fading neon lights and old signs, remembering the simpler times of their youth.

"Hey, there's the old arcade," Mandy pointed out. "Remember spending hours there trying to win those cheap prizes?"

"And always leaving with plastic rings and fake mustaches," Steve chuckled.

Las Vegas Extravaganza

The caravan soon approached the glittering skyline of Las Vegas. The kids pressed their faces to the windows, eyes wide at the towering casinos and the endless lights.

"Look at that one!" Zac shouted, pointing at the Luxor's beam shooting into the sky.

"Is that a castle?" Amelia asked, marveling at the Excalibur.

"Yes, but not the kind you're thinking of," Lisa said with a chuckle.

As they passed by arcades and kid-friendly attractions, the children begged to stop.

"We're not here for Vegas, guys," Christian said. "We’ve got bigger fish to fry."

"Yeah, like Mickey Mouse!" Lincoln added, his excitement palpable.

"Hey, can we ride that roller coaster?" Trevor asked, pointing to the New York-New York.

"Maybe on the way back," Steve said, knowing full well they wouldn’t have the energy.

The Chevron Mega-Station

Their next planned stop was the colossal Chevron station just outside Las Vegas, famous for its 99 gas pumps, a White Castle restaurant, and an enormous sasquatch statue. The kids, who had been getting antsy, were thrilled to stretch their legs.

"This place is huge!" Kaiden exclaimed as they pulled in.

"How many gas pumps do you think they have?" Kevin asked, wide-eyed.

"At least 100," Brandon guessed, looking around.

"It's actually 99," Jeff corrected as they all stepped out of their cars.

The boys made a beeline for the sasquatch statue, examining it with the intensity of young explorers.

"Do you think it's real?" Roman asked, touching the statue's, uh, “foot.”

"If it were real, it would eat you," Trevor teased.

Inside, the families marveled at the sheer size of the place. Steve and Mandy grabbed some White Castle burgers, while Lissa and Christian stocked up on road trip snacks. The kids darted around, amazed by the variety of souvenirs and snacks.

"Don't forget the bathroom break," Lisa reminded everyone. "It's a long way to Anaheim."

Lincoln, munching on a slider, suddenly exclaimed, "I just saw Bigfoot!"

"That's just a statue, Linc," Reagan said, rolling her eyes.

"But it moved!" Lincoln insisted, causing a ripple of laughter through the group.

In the chaos of the snack aisle, Jenna accidentally knocked over a display of keychains, sending them scattering across the floor.

"Clean up on aisle five," Mandy called out, trying to hide her laughter as Jenna sheepishly picked them up.

"At least we’ll have snacks for days," Scot said, holding up a bulging bag of chips and candy.

The Not-So-Golden Arches

Back on the road, the families decided to take a quick detour for lunch at a McDonald's they had heard about, located in an old train depot. What they didn’t know was its reputation for being less than stellar.

"This place looks cool," Gage said, excited by the train theme.

The excitement quickly turned to disappointment as they encountered slow service, soggy fries, and a sticky play area.

"This might be the worst McDonald's ever," Jenna said, wrinkling her nose.

Steve tried to stay positive. "Well, at least it’s memorable."

The kids scattered to the play area, only to find that the slides were sticky and the ball pit smelled funny. Amelia tried to climb into the play structure but got stuck halfway up.

"Help! I'm stuck!" she called out.

Jeff had to crawl in to rescue her, emerging with a red face and a few scraped knees.

"Next time, we'll stick to the classics," Scot vowed, leading his family back to the cars.

As they regrouped outside, Kaiden pointed to a nearby statue of Ronald McDonald, looking eerily sinister in the fading afternoon light.

"That clown is creepy," he said, backing away.

"Agreed," Lissa said. "Let's get out of here."

Traffic Troubles

As they neared the final stretch, the families hit the infamous traffic descending the mountains into California. What should have been a smooth drive turned into a slow crawl.

"Are we moving at all?" Kaiden asked from the back seat, frustration evident in his voice.

"It feels like we're going backwards," Parkar joked, earning a laugh from his siblings.

To make matters worse, the GPS kept recalculating the arrival time, each time adding more minutes.

"How is it possible that the more we drive, the further away we get?" Steve exclaimed, glancing at the GPS.

"Maybe we're in some kind of time warp," Mandy said, half-jokingly.

"I think the GPS is just trying to mess with us," Christian said. "It must be set to 'Torture Mode.'"

"Look on the bright side," Lisa said. "We’re still going faster than the traffic on the other side of the road."

"That’s not saying much," Scot replied, watching a snail slowly crawl up the window. "Even that guy’s making better time."

Hours crawled by, and snacks ran low. The kids were getting restless, and the parents were doing their best to maintain sanity.

"How much longer?" Gage whined for the umpteenth time.

"Just a little bit more," Mandy assured him, hoping she was right.

Lincoln, attempting to lighten the mood, started a game of "I Spy," but it quickly devolved into everyone spying the same thing: red brake lights.

"I spy something red," Lincoln said.

"Brake lights," everyone groaned in unison.

Finally, as the sun dipped towards the horizon, the traffic began to clear. The families let out collective sighs of relief as they approached the outskirts of Anaheim.

"Almost there, guys!" Christian said, pumping his fist in the air.

The Arrival

As they pulled into the hotel parking lot in Anaheim, weary but excited, the kids cheered.

"We made it!" Amelia exclaimed, jumping out of the car.

"Disneyland, here we come!" Titan added, his tired eyes sparkling with anticipation.

The adults exchanged tired but satisfied smiles. They had made it through long drives, chaotic pit stops, and nightmarish traffic, but it was all worth it.

"Let's get checked in and take a quick break," Steve said, herding his family towards the lobby. "We’ll head to Downtown Disney for dinner."

Downtown Disney Adventure

After a short rest, the families gathered again, ready to explore Downtown Disney. The kids bounced with excitement as they walked through the lively area filled with shops, street performers, and the mouthwatering scent of food.

"Where should we eat?" Lisa asked, scanning the options.

"How about those massive milkshakes and delicious cheeseburgers everyone’s talking about?" Christian suggested.

They found a diner renowned for its indulgent offerings and settled into a large booth. The kids’ eyes widened as the colossal milkshakes arrived, topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and even whole cookies.

"These are bigger than my head!" Zac exclaimed, trying to lift his milkshake.

"Careful, you might need a crane to get that to your mouth," Scot joked.

The cheeseburgers were equally impressive, stacked high with toppings and oozing with cheese. The parents enjoyed their meals while the kids devoured theirs with gusto.

"Best. Burger. Ever," Trevor declared between bites.

After dinner, they wandered around, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. They reached the edge of Disneyland, where they could see the entrance gates tantalizingly close.

"I just want to touch it," Lissa said, reaching through the gates.

"Lissa, no!" Jeff warned, but it was too late. A cast member appeared, looking stern.

"Ma’am, please step back from the gate," the cast member said.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist!" Lissa said, laughing nervously.

The cast member smiled, albeit slightly. "It’s okay. Just wait until tomorrow."

Beignet Bonanza

As the evening wore on, they decided to get some famous beignets. Unfortunately, they discovered a long line of like-minded tourists.

"This line is almost as long as the drive here," Kevin groaned.

"We’ve come this far. We’re not leaving without those beignets," Julene said determinedly.

While waiting, the families entertained themselves with jokes and stories.

"Why don’t skeletons fight each other?" Kaiden asked.

"Why?" everyone chorused.

"They don’t have the guts!" Kaiden answered, cracking up at his own joke.

Finally, they reached the front and received their powdered sugar-coated treats. The first bite was heavenly, worth every minute of the wait.

"These are amazing," Amelia said, powdered sugar dusting her nose.

As they walked back to the hotel, munching on their beignets, they passed by the Disney Plaza, glowing with lights and bustling with activity.

"Tomorrow's going to be epic," Roman said, his face smeared with powdered sugar.

"Absolutely," Steve agreed. "Now let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a big day ahead."

With full stomachs and beignet-sweetened dreams, the families returned to the hotel, ready to rest up for the magical adventure that awaited them in the morning.

Hot Tub Hijinks

Back at the hotel, the families were too wound up from their Downtown Disney adventure to go straight to bed. Someone suggested a dip in the hot tub to relax before the big day, and everyone agreed it was a perfect idea.

Hot Tub Oasis

They changed into their swimsuits and headed to the hotel’s hot tub area. The warm, bubbling water was a welcome relief after the long day of driving and exploring.

"This is exactly what we needed," Steve said, sinking into the hot tub with a sigh.

"Feels like heaven," Julene agreed, closing her eyes and letting the jets work their magic.

The kids splashed around, enjoying the warm water and the cool evening air. Scot had brought a stash of mangoes and beef jerky from their snack haul at the Chevron station, which he now passed around.

"Jerky and mangoes in the hot tub? We’re living the high life now," Christian joked, munching on a piece of jerky.

"Why do I feel like we're on some kind of weird cooking show?" Lisa laughed. "Next up, hot tub gourmet!"

Brandon's Hot Tub Stand-Off

As the evening went on, everyone started to get pruney and decided it was time to get out. Everyone except Brandon, that is.

"I'm not getting out," Brandon declared, crossing his arms defiantly as he sat in the middle of the hot tub.

"Come on, buddy, it's time for bed," Scot coaxed, but Brandon shook his head stubbornly.

"Nope. The hot tub is my new home," he insisted.

His brothers, Kevin and Jeff, exchanged a look and decided they had to take matters into their own hands. They waded over to Brandon and tried to lift him out.

"Leave me be! I’m a hot tub king!" Brandon proclaimed, clinging to the edge with surprising strength.

The ensuing struggle was something out of a wrestling match. Kevin and Jeff tried various tactics to dislodge Brandon, who twisted and turned like a slippery eel.

"This is like watching a live-action version of WWE," Trevor said, snickering from the sidelines.

After several failed attempts and much laughter from the onlookers, they finally managed to pry Brandon away from the hot tub's edge.

"Alright, alright! I'm out!" Brandon relented, laughing as he was half-carried, half-dragged to the side.

Post-Hot Tub Shenanigans

With everyone finally out of the water, they wrapped themselves in towels and headed back to their rooms. The warm, relaxing soak had done wonders, and the earlier excitement had worn off just enough for everyone to feel sleepy.

As they walked through the hotel hallways, Steve noticed the smell of mangoes and jerky lingering around them.

"We smell like a tropical snack shop," he said, sniffing his arm.

"Could be worse," Mandy said. "We could smell like that McDonald’s play area."

They all laughed, recalling the day’s misadventures.

Sweet Dreams

Back in their rooms, the kids settled down quickly, exhausted from the day's activities. The parents checked on them one last time before heading to their own beds.

"Tomorrow’s the big day," Lissa whispered to Christian as they tucked in their youngest.

"Yep, it’s going to be magical," Christian replied, smiling.

In the quiet of their rooms, the families drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Disneyland and the adventures that awaited them. The long journey had been full of laughs and challenges, but it was all leading up to the excitement and wonder that lay just beyond the gates.

"Goodnight, everyone," Lisa called out softly from her room. "See you all in the morning."

With the promise of a magical day ahead, they all fell into a peaceful, happy sleep, ready to embrace the wonders of Disneyland come morning.

Night-Time Antics

Despite the relaxing soak in the hot tub, some of the kids were too excited about Disneyland to sleep soundly through the night. While most of the families managed to get a good night's rest, a few kids had a little more trouble.

Midnight Mischief

At around midnight, Lincoln woke up and nudged his brother Titan.

"Do you think Mickey Mouse is sleeping right now?" Lincoln whispered, eyes wide with excitement.

"Mickey Mouse never sleeps," Titan replied, equally wide-eyed. "He's probably planning our day right now."

Across the hall, Jenna and Reagan were having a hushed conversation about their ride plans.

"Do you think we should do Space Mountain first?" Jenna asked.

"No, no, Pirates of the Caribbean!" Reagan insisted. "Or maybe both at the same time."

In another room, Kevin woke up his brother Brandon.

"Are you still the hot tub king?" Kevin asked, stifling a giggle.

"Of course," Brandon replied with a yawn. "But tomorrow, I’ll be the Space Mountain king."

Their parents, hearing the midnight chatter, had to intervene.

"Guys, if you don't get some sleep, you'll be too tired to enjoy Disneyland," Mandy reminded her kids.

"Yeah, you don't want to fall asleep on Mickey," Christian added to his kids.

With some reluctance, the kids finally settled back down, though their dreams were undoubtedly filled with magical adventures.

Morning Mayhem

Morning came quickly, and the hotel was a hive of activity. With only a couple of bathrooms to share among the families, getting ready became a hilarious exercise in patience and coordination.

Bathroom Chaos

Steve was the first to discover the bottleneck situation.

"Who’s in the bathroom?" he called out, knocking on the door.

"It’s me, Parkar!" came the reply. "I’ll be quick, I promise!"

In the other bathroom, Lisa was trying to speed things up.

"Amelia, you’ve been brushing your teeth for ten minutes! You don’t need to brush every single tooth individually!"

Meanwhile, Zac was trying to shave in the mirror while Gage and Kaiden were fighting over who got to use the sink next.

"Stop hogging the sink, Kaiden!" Gage protested.

"I’m almost done! Just let me finish!" Kaiden retorted.

Mandy, juggling her own morning routine and trying to organize everyone, looked like a general directing troops in a chaotic battle.

"Everyone just calm down! We’ll get through this," she declared, though her voice carried a note of amusement.

By some miracle, everyone managed to get ready without any major incidents. Just as the last kid emerged from the bathroom, they all realized it was time for breakfast.

The Breakfast Dash

The hotel breakfast spread was a sight to behold, and the families descended upon it with the enthusiasm of a pack of hungry wolves.

Waffle Wonders

"Make your own waffles!" Amelia exclaimed, rushing to the waffle station.

Trevor and Branson followed suit, eager to create their own waffle masterpieces. The aroma of fresh waffles filled the air, making everyone’s mouths water.

"Don’t forget the syrup," Scot reminded them as he piled his plate high with waffles.

Eggcellent Options

Meanwhile, the adults gravitated towards the eggs and sausage. Jeff loaded his plate with a mountain of scrambled eggs, while Lissa piled on the sausage links.

"Protein for energy," Jeff said with a grin. "We’ll need it to keep up with the kids."

Julene added yogurt to her plate, balancing out the heavier options with something lighter.

"Don’t forget the yogurt," she said, handing a cup to Lisa. "It’s good for digestion."

The Speedy Feast

The dining area buzzed with excitement and chatter as everyone ate quickly, eager to start their day at Disneyland.

"This is the best breakfast ever," Lincoln declared between mouthfuls of waffle.

"Eat fast, everyone," Steve urged. "We need to get to the Toy Story parking area in time for the rope drop."

As they devoured their breakfast, Kevin and Brandon started a playful contest to see who could eat their waffles the fastest. Syrup and laughter flew everywhere as the competition heated up.

"You’ve got syrup on your nose," Brandon pointed out, laughing at Kevin.

"You’ve got syrup on your ear," Kevin shot back, giggling.

The Final Countdown

With plates cleared and bellies full, the families hurriedly gathered their belongings and headed out the door. The excitement was palpable as they piled into their cars and set off for the Toy Story parking area.

"Here we go, everyone," Christian announced as they pulled out of the hotel lot. "Next stop: Disneyland!"

The caravan of cars made its way towards the park, the anticipation building with every mile. The kids, now fully awake and buzzing with energy, chatted excitedly about their plans for the day.

"We’re gonna see Mickey first!" Zac declared.

"No, we're doing Space Mountain!" Titan countered.

As they approached the Toy Story parking area, the families could see the crowds gathering, everyone eager to experience the magic of Disneyland.

"Look, there it is!" Jenna shouted, pointing to the distant spires of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

With the excitement at its peak, the families parked their cars and hurried towards the entrance, ready to make the most of their magical day. The journey had been filled with laughter and a few bumps along the way, but they had finally arrived at the happiest place on Earth.

The Shuttle Saga

After parking their cars in the Toy Story parking area, the families gathered at the shuttle stop, eager to get to the park’s front entrance.

"Here comes our ride!" Lincoln shouted, pointing to the bright red shuttle bus approaching.

The families boarded the shuttle, finding seats and holding onto the poles and straps. The excitement was palpable as the bus started moving.

Shuttle Shenanigans

Just as everyone was settling in, the shuttle jolted and came to an unexpected stop. The driver fiddled with the controls, and the bus remained stubbornly still.

"What's happening?" Gage asked, looking worried.

"Are we going to miss Disneyland?" Reagan asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Don't worry, kids," Steve said, trying to sound reassuring. "We’ll get there. It’s all part of the adventure."

Kevin decided to lighten the mood. "Maybe the shuttle needs a break after carrying all of us," he joked, poking his dad, Scot, in the belly.

"Hey, I’m not that heavy," Scot protested, laughing. "Maybe it’s because we had too many waffles."

The shuttle driver turned around and smiled at the worried passengers. "Sorry folks, just a minor glitch. We’ll be moving again in no time."

"Maybe the bus wants to stay here and be part of the Toy Story parking lot forever," Brandon said, grinning.

On the Move Again

After a few tense moments, the shuttle lurched back to life, and the families cheered.

"See? Nothing to worry about," Jeff said, high-fiving Parkar.

The shuttle ride continued smoothly, and soon enough, they arrived at the esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

The Disney Esplanade

The families disembarked, the kids practically bouncing with excitement as they walked through the esplanade. The area was bustling with people, all heading towards the magic that awaited them.

Monorail Magic

As they walked, the monorail glided by overhead, eliciting gasps from the kids.

"Look, it's the monorail!" Amelia exclaimed, pointing up at the sleek train.

"That’s so cool!" Zac said. "I want to ride that later."

Musical Memories

The strains of a familiar song drifted through the air, and Steve perked up.

"Is that 'Oo-De-Lally' from Robin Hood?" he asked, a big smile spreading across his face.

"Sure is," Mandy confirmed. "Looks like they’ve got some good taste in music."

Steve began to hum along, much to the amusement of his family. "Robin Hood and Little John, walking through the forest..."

"Careful, Dad, or you’ll start a sing-along," Jenna teased.

Brick Bonanza

As they continued towards the entrance, the kids noticed the bricks on the ground, each engraved with the names of people who had made donations to Disneyland.

"Look at all these names," Parkar said, reading a few aloud. "These people must really love Disneyland."

"Hey, I found one that says 'Bob and Sue’s Magical Adventure,'" Trevor said. "Maybe we should get one that says 'The Christensen-Diaz Extravaganza.'"

"That would be awesome," Titan agreed. "We’d be famous!"

"You mean we’re not already?" Kevin joked, pretending to strut like a celebrity.

Almost There

The families finally reached the front entrance, the iconic Disneyland sign welcoming them with open arms.

"We made it," Lisa said, a sense of relief and excitement in her voice.

"Time for some magic," Julene added, her eyes twinkling.

As they approached the turnstiles, the kids could hardly contain their excitement. The anticipation was at its peak, and they knew they were just moments away from the start of an unforgettable adventure.

"Alright, everyone," Christian said, gathering the group. "Let’s make some memories!"

With that, they passed through the gates, stepping into the world of Disneyland, ready to experience the magic and wonder that awaited them. The journey had been full of laughter, mishaps, and excitement, but it was just the beginning of their grand adventure

The Entrance Adventure

Cast Member Comedy

As the large group of four families approached the turnstiles, a cheerful cast member greeted them with a wide smile.

"Well, look at this crew! Are you planning on taking over the park today?" she joked, scanning the first few tickets.

"We might as well!" Steve replied with a laugh. "There’s so many of us, we could form our own parade."

The cast member chuckled. "Just make sure to stick together! We don't want to lose anyone in the Magic Kingdom."

Turnstile Tango

The process of getting everyone through the turnstiles took some time. One by one, each family member had to scan their ticket, pose for a quick photo, and pass through.

"Next!" the cast member called, smiling as each kid eagerly stepped forward.

"Wow, it takes longer to get in here than it did to get out of the hotel this morning," Scot commented, watching the kids fidget with excitement.

"At least we’re almost in," Lisa said, trying to keep Branson from wandering off. "Patience, everyone!"

Amelia, always the comedian, pretended to be a security guard, guiding her siblings through the turnstile. "Step right up, folks! Don't forget your tickets!"

A Magical Transition

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last family member made it through. The group took a collective breath and stepped through the gates into Disneyland.

The world instantly felt different. The air smelled sweet, like churros and popcorn, and there was a distinct sense of magic in the atmosphere.

Churro-Scented Dreams

"Is it just me, or does the air smell like happiness?" Gage asked, inhaling deeply.

"It's definitely not just you," Mandy replied, looking around. "It smells like churros and dreams."

"The air back home should smell this good," Brandon said, taking a deep breath.

Friendly Faces

The people inside the park seemed kinder, too. Smiles and waves were exchanged with strangers, and cast members were everywhere, ready to assist with anything.

"I swear, everyone here is just happier," Lissa remarked. "Must be the magic of Disney."

"Either that, or they’re all in on the churro conspiracy," Jeff added with a wink.

Feeling Like Millionaires

As they walked further into the park, the families couldn’t help but feel like they were living the high life. The shops were filled with souvenirs, treats, and anything a Disney fan could dream of.

"I feel like we could buy anything we want in here," Parkar said, eyeing the colorful displays in the gift shops.

"Careful with that thought," Christian warned. "Disney knows how to make your wallet disappear."

"Still," Kevin added, "It feels like we’re beyond rich, just being here. Like we’ve hit the jackpot of happiness."

Main Street Magic

The group strolled down Main Street, USA, taking in the sights and sounds. Street performers played cheerful tunes, and the iconic castle loomed in the distance, promising endless adventures.

"I can’t believe we’re finally here," Reagan said, her eyes wide with wonder.

"It’s like stepping into a dream," Jenna added, holding her little brother’s hand.

Beyond Rich

The feeling of being able to buy anything and the overwhelming sense of joy was almost intoxicating. Every corner held a new delight, and the promise of unforgettable memories.

"So, what’s the first stop?" Trevor asked, bouncing on his toes.

"Let’s start with some churros," Julene suggested. "Because if the air smells this good, imagine how they taste!"

With that, the families set off on their magical adventure, ready to explore Disneyland and make the most of their day. They were filled with the wonder and excitement that only Disney can bring, knowing that this would be a day they’d remember forever.

The Real Adventure Begins

Tradition Takes Over

As the families headed down Main Street, the smell of churros tempting them, Julene suddenly remembered a crucial detail.

"Wait a minute," Julene said, stopping in her tracks. "We can't start with churros!"

Everyone turned to look at her, puzzled.

"Our family tradition," she continued, "is to start with the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. We always do that first!"

"Ah, the ol' family tradition," Scot said with a grin. "Churros will have to wait, then."

Picture Perfect Chaos

Before heading to Adventureland, the group decided to take a quick picture with the big Mickey made of flowers, with the train station in the background. Getting organized for the picture, however, was easier said than done.

"Everyone, gather around!" Lisa called out, trying to corral the kids.

"Come on, we need to hurry!" Steve urged, glancing at his watch. "I don’t want to miss the rope drop ceremony."

"But we need a picture to remember this moment!" Lissa insisted, positioning everyone in front of the floral Mickey.

Picture Posing Pandemonium

The kids were fidgety, and getting everyone to stand still was a challenge.

"Branson, stop making that face," Amelia said, giggling.

"Lincoln, don’t poke your brother," Christian added, trying to hold everyone together.

Finally, after a few attempts and some silly poses, they managed to get a decent picture.

"Got it!" Jeff announced, showing the photo to everyone.

"Great, now let’s move!" Steve said, already heading toward Adventureland. "The rope drop ceremony is about to start!"

The Dash to Adventureland

With Steve leading the way, the families made their way quickly towards the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, weaving through the crowds.

"Steve, slow down!" Mandy called after him. "We don't want to lose anyone."

"But the rope drop!" Steve replied, glancing back with a look of pure excitement. "We can’t miss it!"

The Magic of the Rope Drop

They reached the front of the Adventureland entrance just in time for the rope drop ceremony. The anticipation was electric as a Disney cast member welcomed everyone, and the countdown began.

"Here we go!" Jenna whispered, holding Kevin’s hand.

As the rope dropped, the crowd cheered, and Steve could hardly contain his excitement.

"It’s official! Disneyland is open!" he said, almost bouncing with enthusiasm.

Pirates of the Caribbean

The families hurried over to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the tradition firmly in their minds. As they reached the entrance, the familiar smell of water and the sounds of pirate songs filled the air.

"This is the best way to start the day," Parkar said, grinning.

"And we’ll get churros after," Brandon added, already thinking about the sweet treats.

As they boarded their boats, the anticipation was palpable. The cool, dark atmosphere of the ride enveloped them, and the sounds of lapping water and distant pirate shanties set the mood.

Fun on the High Seas

The boats glided past the Blue Bayou restaurant, where diners enjoyed their meals by candlelight.

"I’ve eaten there before!" Lissa exclaimed, pointing. "It’s so fancy. We should totally do that one day."

"Pirates and fine dining, what a combo," Jeff joked.

As they floated through the eerie caverns, the kids were captivated by the lifelike animatronics. The cannon fire, the pirate ship battles, and the loot-laden caves brought the adventure to life.

When they reached the scene with the pirate sitting on the bridge, Julene pointed and said, "Look at his hairy legs! That’s how you know he’s a real pirate, not an animatronic."

The kids laughed, and Kevin shouted, "Real pirates must have really hairy legs then!"

Blue Bayou Banter

"Do you think they’ll let us swim over for a meal?" Brandon joked as they passed the Blue Bayou again.

"Sure, if you can avoid getting caught by the pirates," Amelia said with a giggle.

Hairy-Legged Pirate

As they approached the scene where a pirate with particularly hairy legs dangled from a bridge, Julene pointed excitedly.

"See that pirate? Look at his legs! No way those are fake," she declared. "He’s gotta be real."

The kids erupted in laughter, and Gage added, "Maybe he shaves his legs like that for the tourists."

The ride continued, filled with thrilling moments, ghostly apparitions, and of course, the catchy tune of "Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)." By the time they reached the end, everyone was buzzing with excitement.

Main Street Magic Revisited

As they emerged from the ride, the families were all smiles, their Disneyland adventure truly underway. The excitement of the rope drop, the family tradition of starting with Pirates of the Caribbean, and the promise of churros made for the perfect start to their day.

"Alright, now can we get churros?" Titan asked, looking hopeful.

"Absolutely," Julene replied, laughing. "Let's get those churros and make some more magical memories."

With that, they set off in search of churros, ready to enjoy every moment of their Disneyland adventure. The day was young, and there was so much more magic to discover.

The Search for Churros

After the excitement of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the families were on a mission to find churros. The kids' sugar cravings were growing by the minute, and the adults weren't far behind.

"Alright, churros, here we come!" Kevin declared, leading the way as they headed towards Big Thunder Mountain.

"We’ll find one soon," Julene reassured him. "And maybe it’ll be the best churro of our lives!"

The group spotted a churro cart near the entrance to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Excited, they approached, only to be greeted by the sight of a sad little sign that read: Closed for now. Sorry!

Churro Disappointment

"Closed?" Lincoln groaned. "How can a churro cart be closed? This is Disneyland, not Churro-land!"

"That’s criminal," Steve said, shaking his head. "If I’m paying Disneyland prices, that churro better be sprinkled with magic dust."

"Or at least some gold flakes at ten bucks a pop," Christian added, laughing.

"Seriously, how much do they charge for a churro now?" Reagan asked. "It’s got to be cheaper to just eat a souvenir."

"Probably true," Zac said. "But churros are churros. They’re worth it!"

Switching Gears: Big Thunder Mountain

With their churro dreams temporarily dashed, the families regrouped and decided to hop on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad instead.

"Alright, churros later, thrills now!" Scot said, clapping his hands. "Who’s ready for the wildest ride in the wilderness?"

"Let's do it!" Jenna shouted, leading the way toward the ride entrance.

Surprisingly, the wait was less than five minutes, but that didn’t stop the group from finding something to grumble about.

"This line is moving too slow!" Amelia said, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Yeah, come on, Disneyland," Brandon added, crossing his arms. "Five whole minutes? We’ve got magic to experience!"

Once they got to the loading area, Scot reached into his pocket to count his coins and nearly jumped when he realized half of them were missing. He looked over just in time to see Brandon casually tossing coins into the water below, making wishes with each plop.

"Brandon!" Scot called, trying to sound stern but struggling to hold back a laugh. "Those aren’t magic wishing coins, you know!"

"Well, they are now!" Brandon grinned. "I wished for churros and no lines."

"Good luck with that," Scot said, shaking his head as he took Brandon’s hand to guide him onto the ride.

The Wild Ride

Once aboard, the train chugged up the first incline, and the familiar rumble of Big Thunder Mountain filled the air. As they crested the hill, the ride took off with a burst of speed, sending them twisting and turning through tunnels and over ridges.

When they approached the infamous goat perched on the hill, Mandy visibly tensed.

"Not the goat!" she shouted, squeezing Steve’s arm. "Last time, it scared me so bad I almost jumped out of the train!"

Sure enough, as they zipped past the goat, it gave Mandy its wide-eyed stare.

"Still creepy!" Mandy yelled, laughing as she held on for dear life.

"Don’t worry," Steve called over the roar of the ride, "Goats can’t get you if you don’t make eye contact!"

The rest of the ride was a blur of speed, screams, and laughter. As they whizzed through the final stretch, the families were having the time of their lives.

Off the Ride

As the ride came to a stop, everyone stumbled off with big smiles and slightly wobbly legs.

"That was awesome!" Zac said, fist-bumping Trevor. "I forgot how fast that ride is."

"And how terrifying that goat is," Mandy added, still catching her breath. "I swear it’s judging us."

"Well, now that we’ve survived Big Thunder," Lisa said, gathering everyone together, "How about we head to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?"

"Yes! Let’s go see the Millennium Falcon!" Gage cheered, already imagining himself in the cockpit.

"Smugglers Run, here we come!" Christian said with excitement.

On to Star Wars Land

The group made their way towards Galaxy’s Edge, the kids buzzing with excitement about piloting the Millennium Falcon. As they walked, they couldn’t stop talking about the twists and turns of Big Thunder Mountain and the goat that would forever haunt Mandy’s dreams.

"Alright, next stop, a galaxy far, far away," Steve announced, leading the charge. "And maybe, just maybe, we’ll find those churros on the way."

Blue Milk Blues

After the thrilling ride on Big Thunder Mountain, the group finally made their way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The towering spires of Batuu greeted them as they entered, and the families were immediately swept up in the immersive world of Star Wars.

"Alright, guys," Steve said, clapping his hands. "Before we conquer the Millennium Falcon, who’s up for trying the famous Blue Milk?"

The kids’ eyes lit up, and they quickly headed over to the Blue Milk stand, eager to taste the iconic drink.

One by one, they each took a sip, and the reactions were... less than magical.

Blue Milk Disappointment

"This… tastes like grass-flavored yogurt," Brandon said, making a face as he handed his cup back to Scot.

"Yeah, but with a hint of dish soap," Zac added, sticking out his tongue in disgust.

"I thought it was supposed to be sweet!" Kevin exclaimed, examining his cup as if it had betrayed him.

Gage took a cautious sip, grimaced, and declared, "Well, it’s not milk. That’s for sure."

Lissa, always willing to try new things, bravely took a big gulp and then immediately regretted it. "Why does it taste like it’s trying too hard to be futuristic?" she asked, trying to force a smile.

"That’s a no from me," Mandy said, handing her cup back to Steve, who was also grimacing after his own taste test. "It’s like drinking a smoothie, but the blender didn’t know what it was supposed to do."

Even Julene, the optimistic one, struggled to find something positive to say. "Well, at least it’s blue?" she offered with a weak smile.

"Is it blue?" Scot asked. "Or does it just taste blue?"

"We’ll never know," Jeff said, shaking his head. "Let’s chalk this one up to ‘experience’ and move on."

Encounter with Kylo Ren

As they made their way further into Galaxy’s Edge, they suddenly spotted a tall, menacing figure striding toward them: Kylo Ren. His dark cape billowed behind him, and his ominous presence sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

The families watched in awe as he walked past, and then, without warning, he stopped and turned to face them.

"The First Order is the dominant force in the galaxy," Kylo Ren said in a low, threatening voice. His gaze swept over the group, and he pointed directly at Lincoln. "Remember that, young one."

Lincoln froze, eyes wide, and nodded quickly. "Y-yes, sir!" he stammered.

"Good," Kylo Ren replied, his voice dripping with authority. With that, he turned and marched away, leaving the families in stunned silence.

"Well, that was… intense," Lissa said, blinking.

"Yeah, I don’t think he’s a fan of Blue Milk either," Scot joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Bathroom Break

After their brush with the Dark Side, the group decided to make a quick bathroom stop before continuing their adventure. Naturally, with so many people, coordinating the bathroom break turned into a small production.

As they waited outside the restrooms for the others to finish up, two Stormtroopers suddenly approached, their white armor gleaming in the Batuu sun.

The troopers stopped in front of the kids, towering over them with intimidating stances.

"You there," one of the Stormtroopers said, pointing at Reagan. "You look suspiciously like someone who supports the Rebel Alliance."

Reagan’s eyes went wide, and she shook her head vigorously. "Me? No way! I’m just here for churros!"

The other Stormtrooper leaned in closer to Zac, his voice modulator crackling. "We’ll be watching you. The First Order knows how to deal with rebels."

Zac, trying to stay cool, nodded. "I’m totally innocent! I promise! But, uh… if you see Kylo Ren again, tell him I said hi?"

The Stormtroopers exchanged glances and then marched away, leaving the kids laughing nervously.

"Okay, that was terrifying," Gage admitted, still glancing over his shoulder. "But also kind of awesome."

Smugglers Run: A Galactic Family Adventure

Ready for Smugglers Run

Finally, with everyone out of the bathrooms and Stormtrooper-free, the families regrouped and prepared for their next big adventure: piloting the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run.

"Alright, let’s get to the Falcon," Steve said, taking charge again. "And this time, let’s try to avoid any more run-ins with the First Order!"

"And no more Blue Milk," Kevin added, shaking his head.

"Definitely no more Blue Milk," Julene agreed with a laugh. "But hey, we’re in Disneyland. Anything can happen!"

With that, they made their way to the massive Millennium Falcon, ready to take on the galaxy and create even more unforgettable—and hopefully less questionable—memories.

Easter Egg Hunt in the Line

After their encounter with the First Order, the families excitedly made their way to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride. The sight of the full-scale Falcon parked in the docking bay had the kids and adults alike awestruck.

"This is incredible," said Parkar, his eyes wide. "It looks just like the movies!"

As they entered the queue, the kids started pointing out hidden details—like true Star Wars fans on a mission. Gage noticed a set of blaster marks on the wall.

"Look! Blaster damage! Maybe Han Solo shot first!" he exclaimed, making the others chuckle.

"Hey, check this out," said Trevor, pointing to a container labeled with Aurebesh writing. "I think that says ‘Wookiee hair gel.’"

"Perfect for keeping that Chewbacca fur in line," Zac joked.

"Whoa, did you see that box?" Reagan said, tapping Lincoln’s shoulder. "That’s the one Hondo tried to smuggle with Porgs in it!"

The kids were having a blast finding all the little Easter eggs scattered throughout the line, and even the adults were getting into it.

"I bet this place has more secrets than we’ll ever find," Scot said, looking around. "But half the fun is trying."

The Great Grouping Debate

As they neared the ride entrance, a cast member explained that each flight would require six people—two pilots, two gunners, and two engineers.

This sparked an immediate debate among the families.

"Okay, who’s gonna be the pilot?" Lissa asked, trying to keep the peace.

"I should be the pilot," Jeff insisted. "I’ve seen every Star Wars movie multiple times. I know how to handle the Falcon."

"Yeah, but I have quick reflexes," Zac argued. "I’m practically made for this."

"I’ll be the gunner," Brandon said confidently. "I’ve been practicing on video games for this very moment."

"No way," Reagan countered. "I’m the best shot in our family!"

Meanwhile, over in the other group, Steve was adamant about his piloting skills. "Look, I’ve played enough flight simulators to handle this. The Millennium Falcon needs a steady hand."

"You’ve also crashed every time you’ve played those flight simulators," Mandy pointed out, trying not to laugh.

"You know, I wouldn’t mind being an engineer," Kevin said, shrugging. "If something goes wrong, I’m pretty good at fixing things."

After a bit of back-and-forth and a lot of playful teasing, they finally managed to organize themselves into groups of six—though not without some grumbling and last-minute lobbying for prime roles.

 The Ride: Smugglers in Training

Once on board, the chaos of the mission began immediately. Jeff and Zac were in the pilot seats, ready to take on the galaxy—or at least try not to crash into it.

"Alright, here we go," Jeff said confidently as they launched into hyperspace. "This is gonna be smooth sailing."

It was not.

Within moments, the Falcon was bumping into asteroids and scraping walls, despite their best efforts. Every time Zac tried to steer them clear of obstacles, the ship seemed to lurch in the wrong direction.

"I said left!" Jeff yelled, gripping the controls. "Your other left!"

"I am going left!" Zac shouted back, wrestling with the controls.

Meanwhile, in the back, the gunners were frantically blasting away at incoming TIE fighters, but with little success.

"I can’t hit anything!" Brandon exclaimed, pressing buttons with wild abandon. "These controls are rigged!"

"Don’t worry, I got this," Reagan said, but her shots seemed to miss the mark just as often.

The engineers, meanwhile, were frantically trying to keep the ship together. Kevin and Parkar were pressing every flashing button they could see, but the lights kept blinking angrily at them.

"Why does everything keep breaking?" Kevin muttered, trying to hold the ship together with duct tape, or so it felt.

At one point, the Falcon took a particularly nasty hit, sending the entire group lurching in their seats.

"Whoops, that was a close one," Jeff said, trying to keep his cool as alarms blared.

After what felt like both an eternity and a split second, the mission came to an end. The Falcon limped back into the docking bay, smoking and sputtering.

Post-Mission Debrief

Once everyone was off the ride, they regrouped outside, laughing and sharing their war stories.

"Well, that was… an experience," Scot said, trying to keep a straight face. "Did anyone else feel like we just flew through a garbage compactor?"

"We lost about half the Falcon’s hull integrity in the first minute!" Kevin said, laughing. "I think my engineer skills need some work."

"Hey, at least we didn’t totally explode," Jeff said, shrugging. "That’s something, right?"

"Sure," Lissa replied with a grin. "But I think I’m filing a complaint with Hondo. I’m pretty sure that ship was broken before we even got in."

"I’m just saying," Zac added, "If I had been the pilot… we’d probably still be floating in space."

"Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure I shot down at least one TIE fighter," Reagan said proudly.

"Are you sure it wasn’t just a space rock?" Brandon teased, earning a playful shove from Reagan.

"Next time, I’m choosing engineer," Mandy said, shaking her head. "I don’t trust myself with a blaster."

"Or maybe we’ll just stick to piloting teacups," Steve suggested, making everyone laugh.

With that, they all agreed to take a short break to regroup. After all, Disneyland was still full of adventures waiting to happen, and their galactic journey was just beginning.

Strolling Through Star Wars Land

As the families strolled deeper into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive world of Batuu surrounded them. Every nook and cranny seemed to echo with details from the Star Wars universe, and the group couldn’t help but marvel at how real it all felt.

"I feel like we’re walking through a Star Wars movie," Steve said, eyes wide as he took in the sights. "It’s like we just stepped into Tatooine, minus the twin suns."

"Look at that speeder!" Trevor pointed excitedly. "I think it’s the same one from The Phantom Menace!"

"Man, I wish I could hop on that and race through the galaxy," Zac added wistfully.

"I’m just trying to figure out how to smuggle this cool stuff back home," Jeff joked, eyeing the crates and artifacts scattered around.

The kids were especially excited, pointing out every droid and ship they recognized from the movies. As they walked, they came across a few familiar characters…

Chewbacca’s High-Five Dilemma

Suddenly, towering over the crowd, they spotted Chewbacca, the beloved Wookiee, making his rounds and posing for pictures. His massive frame was hard to miss, and Gage immediately ran up to him.

"Chewie!" Gage shouted, waving excitedly. "Can I get a high-five?"

Chewbacca let out his signature growl and raised his huge furry paw for the requested high-five, but Gage’s hand barely made a dent.

"It’s like hitting a carpet!" Gage laughed, shaking out his hand. "A really soft, angry carpet!"

Brandon tried his luck next. "Let me see if I can do better!"

He went for a high-five but misjudged his timing, and Chewbacca ended up giving him an accidental whack on the shoulder instead.

"Whoa! That’s one strong Wookiee!" Brandon said, rubbing his arm. "I think I just leveled up in toughness!"

"That’s what you get for challenging a co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon," Scot teased.

The Mandalorian’s Secret Mission

Not long after their Chewbacca encounter, the group came face to face with another star: the Mandalorian himself, Din Djarin, strolling through the marketplace with Grogu perched in his floating pod next to him. The families couldn’t resist getting closer.

"Hey, Mando!" Zac called out, hoping for a reaction.

The Mandalorian turned his helmet slightly toward them, his visor reflecting the twin suns of Batuu. He gave a subtle nod, but then pointed a gloved finger at the group and whispered, "Keep a low profile. The First Order is everywhere."

Kaiden, wide-eyed, whispered back, "Don’t worry, we’re not with the rebels! We’re just tourists!"

Mando gave a slight tilt of his head, and Grogu, sensing the moment, reached out his tiny hand as if to say "hello."

"Grogu!" Jenna squealed. "He’s so cute!"

"More like too cute," Julene added. "If I could adopt him, I would."

Steve, always the practical one, chimed in, "Sure, but you’d have to deal with a lot of intergalactic bounty hunters."

C-3PO’s Nervous Breakdown

As they walked past a life-sized model of the Millennium Falcon, they noticed C-3PO nearby, nervously explaining something to a group of tourists.

"...and I’m terribly sorry, but I simply cannot find my counterpart, R2-D2. He’s always wandering off, and I’m left to handle everything!"

Roman, grinning, couldn’t resist chiming in. "Maybe he’s just avoiding you because you talk too much?"

C-3PO’s golden head spun around toward Roman, his eyes glowing. "Well! I never! R2-D2 may be mischievous, but I assure you, young human, I am essential to the Rebel Alliance! I speak over six million forms of communication, after all!"

"Yeah, and none of them are ‘quiet,’" Parkar whispered, which made everyone burst into laughter.

"Honestly, this is a disaster," C-3PO continued, completely missing the joke. "It’s worse than that time I was frozen in pieces by Boba Fett!"

Scot stepped forward, shaking his head. "Let’s just hope we don’t see him get stuck in pieces again today."

Rise of the Resistance: Thanks to Brandon!

Finally, the group arrived at their next big adventure: Rise of the Resistance, one of the most epic rides in all of Disneyland. But as they approached the entrance, they saw the sign that crushed the spirits of many hopeful riders: a 180-minute wait time.

"180 minutes?!" Kevin exclaimed, staring in disbelief. "That’s longer than it takes to fly to Batuu!"

"Yeah, that’s three hours," Lissa said, doing some quick mental math. "Three hours standing in line with these kids? I don’t think I can survive that."

Just then, Brandon confidently stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear.

"Don’t worry, everyone. Thanks to me and my DAS pass, we don’t have to wait for three hours!" he declared proudly, holding up the golden ticket to fast-passed glory.

The entire group cheered as Brandon strutted past the massive line of disappointed tourists like a galactic VIP.

"Brandon, you’re the real MVP!" Steve said, clapping him on the back.

"I told you guys," Brandon replied, still beaming. "Having me around is like having Jedi-level powers."

As they all bypassed the endless line of hot, tired park guests, Lincoln couldn’t help but quip, "Now I know how Han Solo felt skipping the line at the Death Star."

The families were ready to dive into the full Rise of the Resistance experience, with Brandon leading the way like the hero of their day.

Riding Rise of the Resistance: A Child's Perspective

As the families entered the Rise of the Resistance loading area, the kids could barely contain their excitement. For them, this was the ride they had been waiting for—an immersive journey into the heart of the Star Wars universe, where they would join the Resistance and battle the First Order.

Gage, Zac, Reagan, and Kevin, wide-eyed and buzzing with energy, glanced around at the intricate set designs. Everything felt real—from the weathered walls of the Resistance base to the droids beeping and rolling around. They were about to become part of the Star Wars story.

"This is it!" Zac whispered, almost vibrating with excitement. "We’re really joining the Resistance!"

"I feel like I’m in the movie," Reagan added, her eyes scanning every corner, just in case she spotted a hidden Easter egg.

As they stepped into the first room, BB-8 rolled out to greet them, followed by a hologram of Rey. The kids’ jaws dropped. It was as if Rey was right there.

“Whoa! It’s Rey!” Kevin whispered, staring at the hologram in awe.

“We’re totally going to fight the First Order,” Gage said, trying to sound brave but clearly impressed by the special effects. “This is serious now.”

Rey briefed them on the mission, and the children listened intently, hanging on every word.

“This is so much cooler than I thought,” Brandon muttered, nudging Zac. “Like, we’re really about to be part of a space battle.”

Boarding the Transport Ship

Next, they were led outside to board a Resistance transport ship. The kids marveled at the life-sized spaceship waiting for them, its engines humming with anticipation.

“Oh man, I wonder if this thing can actually fly,” Kaiden said, wide-eyed, as they stepped aboard.

Inside the ship, they were greeted by Lieutenant Bek, a Mon Calamari animatronic, who instructed them to hold tight for the journey to the Resistance base. The ship shook as it took off, and the kids gripped the handrails, their eyes darting around in excitement.

The moment the First Order Star Destroyer’s tractor beam grabbed the ship, though, everything changed.

"We're caught!" Lincoln cried, his voice a mix of excitement and fear. "We're totally captured!"

Reagan gasped as the ship doors opened to reveal a massive hangar inside the Star Destroyer, with rows of imposing stormtroopers standing at attention. The sheer scale of the hangar left the kids speechless for a moment.

“This is unreal,” Trevor finally whispered. "We’re inside a real Star Destroyer!"

“Look at all those stormtroopers!” Amelia added, her eyes wide. “I hope none of them shoot at us.”

The Interrogation Room

As they were ushered into the Star Destroyer by stern-faced First Order officers, Zac whispered to Kevin, “We’ve got to stay calm. No way they’ll break us in that interrogation room!”

“I’m just hoping they don’t have Kylo Ren waiting for us,” Kevin replied, trying to sound brave but not doing a great job of hiding his nerves.

They were marched into an interrogation room, the walls illuminated by glowing red lights. Suddenly, Kylo Ren’s menacing figure appeared on the balcony above them, and his voice boomed through the chamber. The kids leaned in closer to each other, genuinely nervous.

“Do you know where the Resistance base is?” Kylo Ren growled, his voice cold and threatening.

Lincoln, standing near the back, muttered under his breath, "Please don’t pick me, please don’t pick me…"

Before Kylo could make good on his threat to pry the information from their minds, the Resistance arrived just in time to break them out. Doors opened, and a heroic Resistance fighter rushed them out of the room.

“Let’s go!” Parkar shouted, leading the way as they hurried into the escape vehicles.

The Escape Begins

As they sat down in their vehicles, which were piloted by a droid, Gage could barely keep still. “We’re actually escaping! This is the coolest thing ever.”

“Do you think we’ll have to fight Kylo Ren?” Zac asked, excitement building.

The ride kicked into full gear as their vehicle darted through the Star Destroyer. The kids laughed, screamed, and shouted as they dodged blaster fire and navigated through the ship’s massive hallways. Stormtroopers aimed their blasters at them, sending laser fire streaking overhead.

“I almost got hit!” Kaiden yelled, ducking in his seat, even though the blaster fire was nowhere close to him.

“Stay low! They can’t hit you if you move fast!” Brandon advised, as if they were in a real battle.

Suddenly, the ride took them into a room with AT-AT walkers towering above them. “Look how huge they are!” Trevor said, craning his neck to see the full size of the machines.

Their vehicle zigzagged through the legs of the walkers, and they all shrieked when the vehicle jerked upward, sending them into a vertical lift.

“I think we’re going straight into space!” Kevin shouted, gripping his seat.

Facing Kylo Ren

But the biggest surprise came when they found themselves face-to-face with Kylo Ren again. The dark figure ignited his lightsaber and stalked toward them.

“He’s coming for us!” Reagan screamed, hiding behind her hands.

Kylo Ren used the Force, pulling their vehicle toward him, but a sudden explosion rocked the Star Destroyer, and debris rained down, forcing Kylo to retreat.

“Did we just beat Kylo Ren?!” Gage asked, unable to believe what had just happened.

“I think we did!” Zac replied, equally amazed.

The Escape Pod

The final part of the ride saw their vehicle enter an escape pod that blasted them out of the Star Destroyer. The sensation of freefall made every kid scream with laughter and excitement.

“We’re going down! We’re going down!” Kaiden yelled, as the pod dropped toward Batuu.

With a loud crash (and a soft landing), they safely returned to the Resistance base.

Post-Ride Celebration

As they exited the ride, the kids were buzzing with excitement.

“That was the best thing I’ve ever done in my entire life,” Kevin declared.

“I felt like we were really in Star Wars,” Gage added, still trying to catch his breath. “Like, we almost got captured!”

“And we totally destroyed Kylo Ren’s ship,” Trevor added proudly.

Brandon grinned. “See? I told you guys, with me and the DAS pass, we didn’t have to wait three hours. And it was totally worth it!”

The families laughed, amazed at how real the experience had felt, and already planning their next adventure in the galaxy far, far away.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

After the epic journey through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the families decided it was time for something a little more… calming. As they strolled over to Critter Country, Scot announced, “It’s time for a ride of a different kind of adventure: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.”

“I could use a break after all that lightsaber action,” Kevin admitted, wiping his brow dramatically.

The ride’s queue was short (as expected), and before they knew it, they were boarding those iconic honey pots. The kids, still full of energy, piled in with the parents, while Steve rolled his eyes and said, “Okay, let’s see how fast we can go through Hundred Acre Wood.”

As the ride started, the honey pot glided through scenes of Pooh dreaming about honey. Gage pointed at the animatronic Pooh. “Why does Pooh look like he’s about to OD on honey?”

“He’s obsessed,” Zac said, shaking his head. “Pooh’s got a problem. Someone should stage an intervention.”

Julene smiled, “I mean, have you tasted honey? Can’t blame the guy.”

As they moved into the part of the ride with Tigger bouncing around, Brandon grabbed the safety bar. “If this pot starts bouncing like Tigger, I’m out.”

“No worries,” Jeff said, grinning. “It’s Disney—there’s not a single fast thing about this ride.”

Everyone giggled, but as the ride moved toward the Heffalumps and Woozles section, Zac leaned over to Roman. “I forgot about this part! It’s like Winnie the Pooh had a weird dream after eating too much honey.”

“Too much honey?” Roman quipped. “More like too many churros!”

As the honey pot gently glided to the end of the ride, Lissa sighed, “That was surprisingly… relaxing.”

“Yeah,” Gage replied. “A little too relaxing. Where’s the action? Where’s the plot twist?”

“Winnie the Pooh is the plot twist,” Kevin said, deadpan. “Who knew we’d spend 5 minutes watching a bear dream about snacks?”

Sweet Treats at Pooh Corner

After disembarking from their honey pots, the group made their way to Pooh Corner, where the smell of sugar and caramel filled the air. The kids immediately gravitated toward the display case of Mickey-themed caramel apples.

“I want the one with the marshmallow ears!” Reagan shouted, pointing through the glass.

“Do I have to share with anyone?” Branson asked, eyeing an apple that was about the size of his head.

Mandy grabbed a classic Mickey apple, then nudged Trevor. “These apples are, like, five bucks a bite.”

“Good thing each bite is worth it,” Trevor said, already trying to figure out how to eat his caramel apple without pulling out a tooth.

As they enjoyed their apples, they walked by the old Splash Mountain, now under refurbishment for the re-theming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The families paused to stare at the still, silent log flume.

"Remember when this used to be the best ride to cool off?" Scot sighed, reminiscing about its glory days.

"More like the best ride to ruin your entire outfit," Mandy said, shaking her head. “Even with a poncho, I’d walk out drenched. Drenched!”

Jeff nodded in agreement. “Yep, you’d wear a poncho, cover everything, and still end up soaked. It’s like the water finds a way in.”

“But that drop was worth it!” Gage said, eyes gleaming. “It’s like you’re about to fly off the mountain.”

Mandy scoffed. “Not worth looking like a drowned rat. I’ll stick with rides where you don’t need a wardrobe change.”

Churros at Last!

The family’s sugar cravings were far from satisfied, and when they spotted a churro cart near the Haunted Mansion, they knew what had to be done.

“Finally!” Steve said, already digging into his wallet. “The churro gods have smiled upon us.”

The golden, cinnamon-sugar-dusted treats were passed around, and the family fell into a hushed reverence. Each bite was pure bliss.

“These churros…” Trevor began, taking a huge bite, “are better than gold. Better than credits in Star Wars. Better than—”

“Don’t say better than honey or Pooh might come for you,” Julene interrupted, with a wink.

“I mean, I think we could make some money selling these in Hundred Acre Wood,” Kevin said between bites. “Pooh would be our number one customer.”

“They charge, what, six bucks for one of these?” Zac said, incredulous. “At this rate, I’ll need to take out a loan just to get another one.”

“Churro-flation,” Scot sighed. “Next thing you know, we’ll need a churro mortgage.”

Lissa, holding her churro like a prized possession, said, “This is why you have to savor each bite. Stretch it out for as long as possible. Like fine dining.”

Gage, already finishing his, leaned back. “Or just eat five of them.”

Kaiden tried to look serious. “We should invest in churros. Start our own churro empire.”

"Yeah," Roman added. "We’ll call it the ‘Churro of Life.’ You eat one, and your whole world changes."

“Well, churros have changed my life,” Mandy chimed in, licking the cinnamon-sugar off her fingers. “It’s like a theme park in a stick.”

After they’d had their fill, Steve surveyed the group and nodded toward Haunted Mansion.

“We’re here. We’ve got churros. Let’s go meet some ghosts.”

The Haunted Mansion Adventure

With full bellies and churro crumbs on their shirts, the group headed toward the ominous, creaking gates of the Haunted Mansion. The kids were thrilled, and even the adults couldn’t deny the eerie excitement that filled the air as they approached the famous New Orleans-style manor.

"Think any of the ghosts like churros?" Gage asked as they entered the dark queue.

"If they do, they're going to be jealous," Reagan said, holding her last churro stick close.

The eerie organ music played softly in the background, and the group’s chatter turned to whispers as they moved through the spooky halls.

“I wonder if the ghosts in here remember the days when churros were only three bucks,” Brandon quipped, making Scot laugh.

"Well, let’s hope they’re not haunting us because we didn’t share," Julene added with a grin.

As they piled into the stretching room, the children stared up at the portraits, waiting for the moment they’d reveal their darker secrets. The room started to stretch, and Lincoln, always a bit of a prankster, leaned over to Roman. “Bet you ten bucks that portrait over there was a churro dealer.”

“Churro dealers in Haunted Mansion?” Roman snorted. “That’s the best side hustle I’ve ever heard of.”

As the ghost host finished his speech, the doors opened, and the group moved forward, ready to take their doom buggy ride through the mansion. From honey-loving bears to churro-loving families, they were about to see a whole new kind of adventure.

The "Real" Ghosts of the Haunted Mansion

As the family’s doom buggies creaked forward into the eerie darkness of the Haunted Mansion, the kids' eyes widened with excitement and just a hint of fear.

“They look so real!” Kevin whispered, leaning over to Gage, as a ghostly figure floated above a dining table in the ballroom scene, twirling in midair.

“Do you think they are real?” Reagan asked, half-believing in the magic of Disney.

“They’ve gotta be real,” Brandon said confidently. “You can’t make ghosts like that with just lights and mirrors.”

Then they entered the shadowy parlor with the haunted piano. The faint outline of a ghost sat at the keys, its shadowy hands floating effortlessly as it played an ethereal, haunting tune.

"Whoa," Zac said, his voice filled with awe. "The ghost plays better than I do."

“You mean the shadow ghost,” Gage corrected, craning his neck to get a better look. "It's just a shadow, but it feels like it could jump out and play a concert for us."

“Maybe if we throw him a churro, he’ll play 'Let It Go',” Trevor suggested, making the group snicker.

As they passed through the rest of the mansion, the playful ghosts continued to appear, dancing, singing, and disappearing with mischievous grins. By the time the doom buggies reached the final scene with the hitchhiking ghosts, the kids were fully convinced they had encountered real spirits.

When the ride ended, and they exited their doom buggies, the families gathered outside, still marveling at the experience.

“Those ghosts were legit,” Parkar said. “I’m telling you, one of them winked at me.”

"I swear the piano ghost smiled when we passed by," Amelia added. "He was probably laughing at us."

As they walked away from the mansion, Kevin rubbed his stomach dramatically. "I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting hungry."

"Same," Zac agreed, patting his belly. "I could eat a whole churro factory right now."

The Bengal BBQ vs. Indiana Jones Debate

That’s when the family found themselves at a crossroads: hunger versus adventure.

"We should go to Bengal BBQ," Lissa announced, eyeing the nearby Adventureland food stand. "I can smell the skewers from here."

"I agree," Mandy said, nodding. "The chicken skewers are the perfect post-ghost snack."

But Steve was already glancing at the entrance to Indiana Jones Adventure. "Come on, we’ve got to hit Indiana Jones first. It’s right there. You can't walk past that ride without going on it."

“Food first,” Lissa insisted. “We can’t raid ancient temples on an empty stomach.”

“No, no, no, adventure first!” Zac countered, already heading toward the line.

The kids quickly backed Steve and Zac, while Lissa and Mandy stood firm.

"We'll be fine!" Brandon argued. "I’ll pretend I'm finding treasure for my next meal.”

Lissa crossed her arms. "I’m telling you right now, you're going to regret not eating. You always regret not eating."

But the lure of the temple won out, and with half the family grumbling, they made their way to the entrance of Indiana Jones Adventure.

The Indiana Jones Line Antics

The line for Indiana Jones was long, but as usual, filled with things to keep everyone entertained. As they entered the crumbling ruins of the temple, Reagan spotted the famous "Do Not Pull the Rope" sign.

Naturally, Brandon couldn’t resist. He gave the rope a solid yank, and immediately a distant, muffled voice cried out, “Hey! Watch it! I’m down here!”

Brandon burst out laughing. "I can’t believe that actually worked!"

"Nice going," Trevor said with a grin. "You probably knocked over some poor archaeologist."

As the line wound through the dimly lit corridors, the kids marveled at the carvings and relics, while Steve tried to decipher the ancient writing etched on the walls.

“These symbols,” Steve said, squinting, “I think they say… 'You should have eaten first.'”

Lissa gave him a pointed look. "Told you."

The Ride Breaks Down

Just as they were nearing the front of the line, the worst possible thing happened—the ride broke down. An announcement came over the intercom: “Attention, adventurers! The Temple of the Forbidden Eye is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please remain seated.”

Lissa threw her hands up. “See?! This is why we should have eaten first! We could be eating skewers right now.”

Trevor looked at his watch. “At least we’re not starving… yet.”

Mandy sighed dramatically, “We’ll probably get stuck inside the ride, and all I’ll be able to think about is how much better life would be with a Bengal BBQ skewer in my hand.”

Just as Lissa was about to continue her "I told you so" speech, the ride jolted back to life. The family cheered.

“Looks like Indiana Jones saved the day again,” Scot said with a grin.

The Indiana Jones Ride Experience

The family boarded their rugged transport vehicles, buckling up for the wild journey ahead. As soon as they set off, the adventure began. The temple was as dark and creepy as ever, with flickering torches casting eerie shadows.

The ride darted forward, and the famous boulder scene loomed ahead. Zac held his breath, “Here it comes!”

The boulder rolled toward them, the vehicle jerked, and everyone screamed as they barely dodged it.

But as the ride progressed, it became clear that Indiana Jones wasn’t the smoothest of rides. With each sharp turn and jarring stop, Lissa and Mandy clutched the sides of the vehicle.

“I forgot how herky-jerky this ride is!” Mandy yelled over the noise.

“Loud, too!” Trevor shouted, wincing as they passed another booby trap.

"Watch out for snakes!" Brandon yelled, pointing toward the slithering animatronics that made everyone jump.

As the vehicle lurched to a final stop and the ride came to an end, the family stumbled out, a little shaken but exhilarated.

Post-Ride Complaints

“That was awesome,” Gage said, still grinning. “I love almost getting squashed by a giant boulder.”

“But could they make it any louder?” Kevin asked, rubbing his ears. “I think I lost some hearing back there.”

“And why does it feel like I just went through a rock tumbler?” Mandy complained, stretching her back. "That ride’s like being in a high-speed blender."

Lissa, however, just shook her head. “I told you all we should’ve eaten first. But nooo, ‘Let’s ride Indiana Jones first,’ they said. Now I’m starving and bruised.”

“Well,” Steve said with a grin, “at least now we’ve earned our Bengal BBQ.”

With that, they headed back toward Adventureland, stomachs growling and ready for skewers—finally!

Bengal BBQ Feasts and Dole Whip Delights

After the adventure (and bone-rattling) experience of Indiana Jones Adventure, the family finally gave in to their hunger and headed straight for Bengal BBQ. The smoky aroma of grilled meat filled the air, and Steve led the charge, practically drooling at the thought of skewers.

“Alright, let’s load up,” Steve said, scanning the menu like a treasure map. “I’ll take a Banyan Beef Skewer, one Safari Skewer, and a Tiger Tail Breadstick for good measure.”

Lissa, relieved to finally get her food, chimed in, “I’m getting the chicken skewers. It’s about time!”

With skewers of beef, chicken, and bacon-wrapped asparagus in hand, they headed toward the Tropical Hideaway seating area. The lush greenery and the peaceful ambiance made it the perfect spot to relax after the chaos of the day. Plus, everyone had their eyes on the prize: Dole Whips.

As they sat down with their food, Trevor took the first bite and immediately looked like he had just discovered a hidden treasure. “This. Is. Amazing.”

The rest of the family dug in, and soon the table was filled with sounds of chewing and appreciation.

“This beef skewer is perfection,” Jeff said, savoring each bite. “It’s like they grilled it over the flames of the temple we just escaped from.”

“The chicken’s just as good,” Lissa said between bites, looking smug that her pick didn’t disappoint.

“I don’t know how they do it, but these skewers are worth every penny,” Scot added, nodding. “And that’s saying something for Disneyland prices.”

Brandon had already inhaled his food and was eying the Dole Whip stand. “Are we ready for dessert yet? Because I can still fit a Dole Whip.”

After polishing off the skewers and rice, the group strolled over to get their Dole Whips—classic pineapple swirls that everyone was eagerly anticipating.

As soon as the first Dole Whip hit their lips, it was unanimous: this was the best food they’d had all day.

“Why does this taste so much better in Disneyland?” Mandy wondered aloud, taking a spoonful of the creamy, tangy treat.

“Because it’s Disney magic,” Kevin answered with a grin. “They sprinkle it into the pineapple.”

“Honestly, I could live off these,” Reagan said, twirling her spoon in the soft serve. “If I lived here, I’d eat a Dole Whip every day.”

“I’d put a Dole Whip stand in my backyard if I could,” Steve declared. “This is probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten in the park.”

Julene nodded in agreement, savoring her last bite. “I mean, we’ve had churros, caramel apples, and skewers, but this—this is the ultimate.”

With bellies full of delicious BBQ and Dole Whip, the family lounged for a bit, content and satisfied. The tropical setting of the Hideaway made it hard to leave, but there was more adventure waiting.

Off to the Jungle Cruise

“Well,” Scot said, standing up and stretching, “since we’re right next to it, we might as well ride The Jungle Cruise.”

“Oh, yes,” Lissa said, excited. “I need some bad puns to complete this meal.”

The family quickly made their way to the entrance of the Jungle Cruise, and with their appetites satisfied, they were ready for more fun.

“We get to sit down again,” Gage noted, clearly relieved. “This might be my favorite ride already.”

As they boarded the boat, they settled in, ready for the dry humor and animal animatronics that awaited them. The skipper at the helm looked back at the large group, smiled, and said, “Looks like we’ve got enough people on board to start our own jungle tribe!”

The family laughed as the boat pulled away from the dock, ready to embark on their jungle expedition filled with dad jokes and more adventures in the magical world of Disneyland.

The Jungle Cruise: A Family Favorite

As the boat drifted into the murky waters of the Jungle Cruise, the families were all smiles. This was a classic, a Disneyland rite of passage that never failed to bring laughs. The kids were excited, but it was the adults who had the real soft spot for the corny humor.

Their skipper, a cheerful young woman with a grin as wide as the river they were floating on, wasted no time diving into the puns.

“And on your right, you’ll see some beautiful sandstone formations,” she began, pointing to some dull-looking rocks. “I know, most people take them for granite… but I think they really rock.”

The boat erupted in laughter, the kids especially, while Steve groaned in mock disgust. “Granite? That’s awful,” he muttered, shaking his head with a grin. But even he couldn’t hide the fact that he was having fun.

As the boat rounded a corner, they came upon a herd of elephants spraying water.

“Oh no,” the skipper said, looking concerned. “These elephants love to take showers, but don’t worry! They’ve been trained to spray only the back of the boat... unless you're Steve, then all bets are off.”

Steve gave an exaggerated look of horror while the kids snickered. “I feel targeted,” he said, pretending to duck for cover.

The pinnacle of the ride, however, came with the famous back side of water joke. As the boat approached the majestic waterfall, the skipper leaned in dramatically.

“And now, folks, for the eighth wonder of the world… the back side of water!”

Most of the kids cheered as if this was the greatest reveal ever, while Steve groaned even louder. “That joke is older than I am.”

“But it's still a classic!” Jenna shouted back, clearly loving it.

“It’s the best part of the ride, Dad!” Gage said, laughing as the boat passed the “majestic” waterfall.

Kevin nodded in agreement, “Where else can you see something so pointless yet hilarious?”

By the time the boat pulled back to the dock, everyone was still giggling. Even Steve, who had rolled his eyes at the jokes, had a smile on his face.

“Alright,” Steve said as they stepped off the boat, “I’ll admit, the puns are funnier when you hear the kids laugh.”

As they exited the ride, the plan was to head straight for Space Mountain. But, as with all great plans in Disneyland, distractions were inevitable.

Caramel Apple Churros and Pretzel Distractions

Just as they were about to make their way toward Space Mountain, something magical happened. A sweet, cinnamon-y aroma wafted through the air. It was coming from a churro cart by the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ride.

“Wait a minute,” Zac said, sniffing the air. “Is that… caramel apple churros?”

“Are you kidding me?” Mandy exclaimed, immediately scanning the crowd for the churro cart. “We just ate, but I could fit in a churro.”

“And what’s that over there?” Brandon pointed excitedly to a stand nearby. “Cream cheese-filled pretzels! We have to stop.”

It didn’t take long for the entire group to abandon the mission to Space Mountain in favor of more snacks. They descended upon the churro cart and pretzel stand like a pack of hungry hyenas.

The caramel apple churros were an instant hit. Covered in cinnamon sugar with a drizzle of caramel and a hint of tart apple flavor, they were everything the family didn’t know they needed.

“These are the best churros yet,” Lissa declared, taking a big bite. “I didn’t think you could improve on the classic churro, but they’ve done it.”

Kevin nodded vigorously. “This is like a churro… with superpowers.”

Meanwhile, the cream cheese-filled pretzels were equally beloved. Julene took a bite and her eyes widened. “Why didn’t I know about these sooner? It’s like a warm hug, but with cheese.”

Steve, still holding his caramel apple churro, looked longingly at the pretzel stand. “I might need one of those pretzels too.”

Brandon, already halfway through his pretzel, grinned. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

Off to Space Mountain

With churros and pretzels in hand (and a few stuffed in bags for later), the family finally continued their journey to Space Mountain. The line was visible from a distance, but surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad.

"Less than 20 minutes," Mandy said, checking the app. "That’s basically nothing!"

“We can do that standing on our heads,” Parkar joked, though he promptly changed his tune when the kids began mimicking the idea.

As they joined the line, Brandon dug through his pockets and pulled out some coins. “I wish for no wait time,” he said with a grin, tossing a handful into the water near the queue.

Scot, watching his change disappear into the depths, sighed dramatically. “There goes my churro fund.”

Trevor clapped him on the back. “That’s what dads are for, right? Sacrificing their churro money for wishes?”

“I guess so,” Scot laughed.

As they inched toward the entrance, excitement began to build. Space Mountain was a family favorite—fast, dark, and thrilling. The kids began to chatter about who would scream the loudest and who would sit in the front.

“Definitely not me,” Amelia said quickly. “The front is way too intense.”

“You’ll be fine,” Gage said, trying to sound brave. “It’s just outer space.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Yeah, ‘just’ outer space. Totally casual.”

As they approached the ride loading zone, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. They boarded their rocket ships, ready to launch into the darkness. With full bellies and high spirits, they prepared for another adventure, ready to shoot through the stars at warp speed.

Space Mountain: A Galactic Adventure

As the families strapped into their Space Mountain rocket ships, the tension in the air was palpable. Some were nervous, some excited, but all were ready for the classic Disney roller coaster that plunged them into the darkness of outer space.

"This is my favorite," Steve announced, tightening his seatbelt. "It's fast, it's dark, and no one can see me scream like a toddler."

“Exactly,” Lissa said, laughing. “It’s like a space therapy session.”

The rockets shot off into the void, and immediately, the sound of thrilled shrieks filled the air. Twisting and turning, the rockets zoomed through the cosmos, stars whizzing by in every direction. The kids were wide-eyed, while the adults gripped their seats, each jolt and dip drawing out more screams and laughter.

Somewhere in the middle of the ride, Kevin managed to shout, "Is this faster than last time or are we just more out of shape?!"

"I thought space was supposed to be quiet!" Jeff yelled, as another tight turn whipped them around.

As they reached the final plunge and the stars blurred into streaks of light, Steve yelled, "Brace yourselves for the back side of the galaxy!" making everyone laugh—though their laughter was quickly drowned out by the sound of the rockets hurtling toward the finish.

When the ride finally came to a halt and the lights returned, they stumbled off the ride, hair wild and hearts pounding.

“That was awesome,” Trevor said, still trying to catch his breath. “I think I left my stomach back in hyperspace.”

“Does anyone else feel like their neck got snapped back to Earth?” Mandy said, rubbing her shoulders.

“I’m pretty sure I screamed the whole time,” Gage admitted. “But in a cool way.”

The Alien Pizza Planet: Galactic Disappointment

As they exited Space Mountain, they made their way toward Alien Pizza Planet, which sat just beyond the ride exit.

“Should we stop here for some pizza?” Zac asked, eyeing the big sign.

Lissa made a face like she'd just tasted something sour. “Not unless you like cardboard with sauce.”

“It’s a tourist trap disguised as a restaurant,” Jeff agreed. “If they served this pizza in space, there’d be an uprising.”

“I think the aliens made it as a joke,” Mandy added. “Like, ‘let’s see if humans will eat this.’”

Steve sighed. “It always smells good, but somehow... it’s the biggest disappointment in the park.”

They walked past the glowing green alien figures and kept their wallets safely tucked away, avoiding the temptation.

Autopia: Too Slow for Fun

Next up was Autopia, and as the group wandered past, some of the younger kids looked longingly at the mini race cars zooming—or, more accurately, crawling—along the track.

“Can we ride Autopia?” Parkar asked, pointing to the cars.

Scot groaned, “Autopia? That’s like taking a Sunday drive through Disneyland traffic.”

“Yeah,” Julene added, “The cars are so slow, you could walk faster. Plus, you can’t even steer properly because of that annoying center rail!”

“And forget trying to drive like a maniac,” Steve said, clearly speaking from experience. “That rail keeps you in line like a kindergarten teacher.”

“It’s basically driving practice for five-year-olds,” Kevin said with a smirk.

The kids reluctantly agreed that Autopia wasn't worth the wait, and the families continued on, leaving the exhaust fumes and puttering motors behind.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: The Underwater Snooze Fest

As they strolled by the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, the colorful submarines were gliding slowly through the water, surrounded by excited guests ready to dive into the undersea world.

“Ugh, this ride,” Amelia said, wrinkling her nose. “It’s like being stuck in a sardine can while watching fish through a dirty window.”

“I can’t believe people wait an hour for that,” Lissa added. “It’s probably the worst ride here… except maybe the ferris wheel in DCA.”

“You mean the Ferris Wheel of Doom?” Steve said with a laugh. “The one that tricks you into thinking it’s a nice, relaxing ride until the cars start swinging and everyone screams for their lives?”

“Exactly!” Lissa exclaimed. “I’ll never go on it again.”

The families chuckled and agreed to pass on the submarine ride, though Lincoln piped up, “I’d rather be stuck in the submarine than go on the ferris wheel again.”

The Matterhorn Beckons

Finally, they made their way toward Matterhorn Bobsleds, the towering, snow-covered peak looming ahead of them. The sight of it instantly brought smiles and excitement to the group.

“Oh yes,” Scot said, practically bouncing on his feet. “Now this is a ride worth waiting for.”

“Agreed,” Jeff said, eyeing the queue. “Even if the Yetis have been slacking lately.”

They hopped into line, which moved surprisingly fast, but the excitement was palpable.

“This is one of my favorites,” Trevor said, looking up at the mountain. “You never know which part of your body will hurt afterward.”

“And bonus points if you don’t slam into the side of the bobsled,” Zac added.

“We’ve been training for this all day,” Steve said confidently, stretching out his legs. “Ready to face the mighty Matterhorn!”

As they shuffled closer to the front of the line, there was only one thing on everyone’s mind—racing down the side of the mountain, dodging Yetis, and bracing themselves for the wildest ride yet.

The Bumpy Matterhorn Adventure

The Matterhorn Bobsleds delivered exactly what everyone expected: a thrilling but jarring ride down the side of a snowy mountain with plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. As the families hopped into their bobsleds, Steve shouted, “Hold on! This is basically a roller coaster made of potholes!”

The bobsleds clattered up the mountain, and with each sudden turn and drop, the families bounced in their seats like popcorn in a microwave.

“This is... not... smooth!” Mandy managed to say between bounces, gripping the side of the sled for dear life.

“Bumpy?!” Lissa exclaimed as they were thrown into another corner. “It feels like we’re being launched off the mountain!”

Julene laughed, but it was more of a survival laugh. “This is the Swiss Chiropractic Experience! They should advertise that!”

As the ride finally came to an end and the bobsleds coasted into the unloading zone, everyone’s hair was windswept, and some looked a bit dazed.

“That was awesome,” Zac said, cracking his back. “I think I’m a couple of inches shorter now, though.”

Jeff rubbed his shoulder, chuckling. “I feel like I’ve been in a car accident—but a fun one.”

Disappointment at Small World

With shaky legs, the families made their way toward It's a Small World, hoping for a break from the high-octane thrills. But as they rounded the corner, they were greeted by the sight of construction walls and signs apologizing for the ride being closed.

“Nooo,” Parkar groaned. “It’s closed?!”

A cast member explained, “We’re getting it ready for Christmas. Sorry, folks!”

Mandy sighed dramatically. “We’re missing out on the one ride where the song gets stuck in your head for days.”

Kevin looked relieved. “Honestly, this might be a blessing in disguise.”

“I was kinda looking forward to a nap in there,” Trevor said. “That ride is so relaxing.”

“Well, there goes my peaceful boat ride,” Julene joked. “Guess we’ll have to save our sanity for another day.”

Reluctantly Entering Toontown and Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin

The group pressed on toward Toontown, where the whimsical buildings looked like something straight out of a cartoon. The kids were excited, but the adults… less so.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin,” Lissa grumbled as they got in line. “This ride makes no sense.”

“I know,” Mandy agreed, crossing her arms. “It’s like a fever dream with cartoon cars. And it’s way too spinny.”

The families reluctantly boarded their cars, and as predicted, the ride was full of nonsensical turns, bright colors, and exaggerated cartoon chaos. Mandy and Lissa both emerged looking slightly dizzy and thoroughly unimpressed.

“That was… exactly as weird as I remembered,” Mandy said.

“I need a moment to recover,” Lissa sighed. “Who designed this ride? A toddler with a crayon?”

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway: The Uneventful Ride

Next up was Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, which was supposed to be a newer and exciting ride. The families waited in line, hoping for something spectacular. But once they got on, the experience turned out to be, well… uneventful.

“Is that it?” Amelia asked as the ride ended.

“That was cute, I guess,” Trevor said, shrugging.

“It’s like they tried to make a wild adventure, but forgot to add the fun,” Lissa commented, sounding slightly disappointed.

“Well, at least it wasn’t bumpy like the Matterhorn,” Steve said, trying to stay positive.

Everyone agreed, but there was a collective sense that the ride wasn’t exactly going to make anyone’s top ten list.

The Hungry Walk to Storybook Land Canal Boats

As the families left Runaway Railway, they began to realize something was missing: food.

“I’m hungry,” Parkar declared. “Didn’t we just eat churros and pretzels?”

“That was hours ago,” Zac said dramatically, clutching his stomach. “I need real food. Like, now.”

“Yeah, I can feel my body eating itself,” Kevin joked, rubbing his stomach. “This is a serious situation.”

Julene chuckled, “We’re on the verge of a Disneyland meltdown, folks. We need sustenance soon.”

“I’m pretty sure I’d eat a churro made of cardboard right now,” Mandy added.

Scot, ever the dad, chimed in, “I’ve got some jerky in my backpack if anyone needs emergency rations.”

“That jerky’s been in there since last Christmas,” Brandon pointed out. “I’ll pass.”

As they neared the Storybook Land Canal Boats, Steve rubbed his temples. “Let’s just get through one more ride, then we can talk about food. Real food. None of this space pizza or weird alien churro stuff.”

The families sighed in collective agreement, all mentally planning their next meal while getting ready to ride yet another classic Disneyland attraction.

Storybook Land Canal Boats: A Sinking Feeling

The families approached the Storybook Land Canal Boats with a mixture of curiosity and hunger-induced impatience. The cheerful Disneyland cast member greeted them with a smile, eyeing the large group.

"How many in your party?" she asked.

"All of us," Steve replied, gesturing to the sizable group.

The cast member looked momentarily concerned but quickly put on her best Disney smile. “Alright! We’ll see if we can fit everyone into one boat.”

As the families filed into the tiny boat, there was a collective creaking sound. Some of the children exchanged nervous glances as the boat sank noticeably lower in the water.

“I think we’re gonna sink,” Kaiden whispered, clutching the side of the boat.

“Nah, we’re good,” Scot said confidently, but even he looked down at the water that was just a little too close to spilling over the edge.

"Just hold your breath," Brandon joked. "You know, in case we go under."

The cast member, unfazed, pushed them off with a gentle shove and began her scripted tour. “Welcome to Storybook Land, where we’ll journey through the magical miniature worlds of your favorite Disney stories…”

But before she could get too far, Steve leaned over to Kevin and loudly whispered, “You think that tiny castle’s got room for all of us?”

“Maybe if we shrink down to Lego size,” Kevin replied with a smirk.

The tour guide valiantly tried to maintain her upbeat energy, but with Steve cracking jokes and the kids giggling about whether they’d end up swimming, her narration was mostly drowned out.

“And on your left is the village from Aladdin…” she continued.

“I bet that place has better food than Alien Pizza Planet,” Zac muttered under his breath, drawing laughter from those around him.

By the time they reached the end of the ride, the families were still intact—and surprisingly dry—though several of the kids were still nervously checking the water level.

“Well, we didn’t sink, so that’s a win,” Steve declared as they disembarked. The cast member gave them a tight-lipped smile, probably relieved to see the back of them.

Red Rose Tavern: The Feast

Hunger finally won out, and the group made their way to the Red Rose Tavern in Fantasyland. The promise of burgers, pizza, tater tots, and—most importantly—the infamous Grey Stuff had everyone in good spirits.

As soon as they sat down with their trays piled high, the food frenzy began.

“This burger is pretty good,” Parkar said through a mouthful of food.

“Pretty good?” Gage replied. “It’s the best thing I’ve had all day!”

Zac was busy demolishing a pizza, while Lincoln and Kevin fought over the last few tater tots. But the true star of the meal arrived when they all dug into the Grey Stuff.

“Oh wow,” Julene said, her eyes widening as she took a bite. “They weren’t kidding. It really is delicious.”

“It’s like eating a cloud,” Lissa marveled, savoring every bite.

“This must be what royalty eats for dessert,” Mandy declared, holding up a spoonful like it was a prized gem.

“I feel like we’ve hit peak Disney,” Scot added. “We’re eating something called Grey Stuff, and we’re loving it.”

Steve, between bites of burger and Grey Stuff, joked, “We might as well be eating diamonds at this point. Churros, Grey Stuff, and overpriced burgers—it’s like living in luxury.”

When the last spoonfuls of the Grey Stuff were scraped from their plates, the families felt renewed, ready for more rides—and maybe a nap, if such a thing existed at Disneyland.

Teacups: A Spinning Test of Strength

Refueled and slightly overconfident from their meal, the families headed straight for the Mad Tea Party—aka, the spinning teacups.

As they approached the whimsical, spinning ride, Trevor raised an eyebrow. “We just ate, and now we’re going to spin until we puke? Is that really the plan?”

“Best idea of the day,” Steve quipped. “Nothing says Disney magic like testing your stomach’s durability.”

Julene looked a little skeptical but climbed into a teacup with Brandon and Kevin. "Let’s just not spin too fast, okay?"

“I make no promises,” Kevin said with a mischievous grin as he grabbed the wheel in the center, ready to spin for all he was worth.

The ride started, and within moments, the cups were twirling. Giggles, shouts, and half-joking cries of “I regret this!” filled the air. Even the kids couldn’t decide whether they were having fun or preparing for motion sickness.

As the ride came to an end, they stumbled off the platform, dizzy but still laughing.

“Who’s brilliant idea was it to eat and then spin?” Lissa asked, holding her head.

Steve shrugged. “Well, we survived Matterhorn. This is nothing.”

“Barely,” Mandy said, a little wobbly but still smiling.

On to the Next Adventure

Still recovering from the teacups, the families set off on their next Disneyland adventure, already plotting which ride to conquer next—though the collective groan of hunger was already starting to rise again. “We just ate,” Zac reminded everyone. “But, uh, I could go for another churro.”

Smiling, they pressed forward into the Disney wonderland, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Alison Wonderland

“Alright, next stop: Allison Wonderland!” Zac announced confidently as the group made their way toward the Alice in Wonderland ride.

“It’s Alice,” Trevor corrected, rolling his eyes.

“Are we sure about that? Because I feel like Allison would also enjoy a nonsensical trip through Wonderland,” Zac shot back with a grin.

The families crammed into their little caterpillar-shaped cars, ready to venture down the rabbit hole. As they wove through the oversized flowers and dodged the Cheshire Cat's eerie grin, Kevin made the observation, “You know, this ride feels like a fever dream. Or a trip to Ikea. Just random stuff happening all over the place.”

By the time they emerged from the Mad Hatter’s tea party and back into daylight, Scot sighed, “I feel like we just went through someone’s weird, whimsical Pinterest board.”

Julene laughed. “I’m still not convinced this isn’t Allison’s Wonderland.”

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: The Original Driving Simulator

Next, the group hopped into Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, where chaos is king and everyone’s driving skills are put to the test—or lack thereof.

“Here we go, kids,” Steve said as he climbed into his toad car. “Disney’s first attempt at Grand Theft Auto.”

The cars jerked to life, careening through Toad Hall and straight into trouble. There was no controlling these things—each turn felt like an impending disaster.

“Who let Toad get a driver’s license?” Mandy shouted over the cacophony of crashing and smashing sounds. “I mean, where are his parents?!”

As they narrowly avoided another wall, Brandon chimed in, “I feel like I’ve just been in a ten-car pileup—and we’re not even done!”

When the ride finally ended (after a brief stint in, you know, Toad Hell), they stumbled out of the cars. “I’m writing a letter to the DMV about this one,” Steve muttered, still laughing.

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey: The Wooden Boy’s Weird Adventure

Next up was Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. As they boarded their little cars, Scot joked, “Oh great, another childhood trauma ride. Let’s hope there are fewer donkeys and more, you know, joy.”

As they ventured into Pleasure Island, where kids were magically turned into donkeys, Zac piped up, “If you think about it, Pinocchio’s story is kinda dark. Disney, man, just throwing existential crisis at kids since forever.”

“Yeah, who needs therapy when you’ve got this ride?” Kevin added, as they zoomed past Monstro the whale.

As the ride ended, Steve turned to the group and said, “I think I’ll stick to lying about my golf scores. At least there’s no whale waiting to eat me.”

Dumbo the Flying Elephant: The Soaring Circus

Feeling daring, the families headed to Dumbo the Flying Elephant. As they each climbed into their respective flying elephants, Steve, clearly in a playful mood, declared, “If this thing doesn’t soar as high as my expectations for this churro later, I’m filing a complaint.”

Once the ride began and they were lifted into the air, Lissa pointed out, “It’s cute, but can we talk about how we’re just spinning in circles again? Disney’s really into that.”

Brandon, holding onto his Dumbo’s ear as if it were a handlebar, exclaimed, “I’ve had a revelation: Dumbo’s trunk is aerodynamic! We’re basically flying in first-class.”

As the ride slowly descended, Mandy, laughing, said, “Well, at least it was a gentle flight—none of that Mr. Toad nonsense.”

Peter Pan’s Flight: Waiting in Line for Pure Magic

The families made their way over to Peter Pan’s Flight, where the line stretched for what felt like miles. Steve, ever the realist, muttered, “This is Disneyland's greatest irony—waiting in line for 45 minutes for a ride that lasts less than two. It’s the world’s cutest exercise in patience.”

But once they finally boarded their pirate ships and soared over London, the grumbling stopped. The magic of the ride took over, and as they flew past Big Ben and into Neverland, the kids' faces lit up.

“That was so cool,” Reagan said as they disembarked. “Even if it was, like, super short.”

“Yeah,” Steve admitted, “I’ll give it that—it’s pretty awesome, even if I blinked and it was over.”

The Chaos of a Family Picture in Front of the Castle

With the rides done (for now), it was time for the ultimate Disneyland experience: the family picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. But with four families, wrangling everyone for a photo was no small task.

“Okay, everyone, gather up!” Mandy called, trying to herd the group together like a Disney-fied version of a sheepdog.

But the kids were already distracted. Some were admiring the castle, others were talking about churros, and Brandon was inexplicably wandering off in the direction of Main Street.

“Where’s Brandon going?” Lissa asked, scanning the crowd.

“He’s in search of the perfect churro,” Scot said with a laugh. “A noble quest.”

After some effort, everyone finally grouped up in front of the castle, but getting everyone to smile at the same time was a whole other challenge.

“Kevin, look at the camera, not the churro cart!” Julene shouted.

“I’m smiling!” Kevin protested, while clearly eyeing the cart.

“Okay, everyone say ‘Disney Magic!’” the photographer instructed.

“Disney Debt!” Zac joked, and a few of the kids cracked up mid-photo.

The photographer clicked away as everyone adjusted their poses—some grinning, some making goofy faces, and others just looking tired. Finally, after a few attempts, they got a semi-decent photo.

“Well, that’s about as good as it’s going to get,” Mandy sighed, looking at the preview. “But hey, we’ve captured the chaos, and that’s what matters.”

“Yeah,” Steve said with a grin. “Now, can we move on to more churros, or is that just me?”

With laughter, the families regrouped, ready to tackle whatever Disney had in store next—whether that was more rides, more food, or the quest for the ultimate churro.

As the day rolled on and the families’ feet grew tired, it became clear that there was only one thing to do: fuel up. Naturally, this meant acquiring an absurd amount of churros and cream cheese pretzels.

“Alright, we need at least two churros per person,” Steve declared, eyeing the cart.

“That’s… a lot of churros,” Lissa said, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, you never know when you’ll need a churro emergency supply,” Steve replied, handing out the sugary sticks like he was rationing survival equipment.

The families gathered churros and cream cheese-filled pretzels, their arms practically overflowing with Disneyland's finest treats. As they bit into the warm, cinnamon-dusted churros, it was as if the magic of the park became even more tangible.

“These churros are worth every penny,” Mandy sighed, happily munching away.

“I’d pay double,” Zac added, breaking his churro in half and handing some to Gage.

Once their hands were sticky with cinnamon and their hearts full of churro-induced joy, they made their way to the Disneyland Railroad station. They boarded the iconic train, ready for a relaxing tour around the park.

“Alright, this is the perfect time for the secret stash,” Steve said, pulling out an alarming amount of homemade jerky and dried mangoes from his backpack.

“You brought jerky to Disneyland?” Scot asked, impressed.

“I don’t go anywhere without it,” Steve replied, passing out the snacks like a seasoned pro.

As the train gently chugged along the tracks, the families took in the sights of the park from a new perspective. They passed the Grand Canyon diorama, dinosaurs, and scenic views of Frontierland.

“This is the life,” Kevin said, leaning back in his seat and tearing into a piece of jerky.

The sun was starting to set, and the sky turned a soft, dusky pink. The lights around the park flickered on, casting a warm glow over everything. The families, now feeling the effects of a long but magical day, realized there were only two more rides they had to experience before the night ended.

“We need to ride Big Thunder and Jungle Cruise,” Zac said confidently. “They’re the best at night.”

“I second that,” Roman chimed in, a churro still dangling from his hand.

Big Thunder Mountain at Night

The families made their way over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and as they walked up, the mountain loomed ahead of them, lit up like a beacon in the night. They waited in line for only a few minutes—complaining about how five minutes felt like forever, of course—before being loaded into the rickety train cars.

“This is the wildest ride in the wilderness… at night!” Steve yelled as the train took off into the darkness.

The cool night air whipped around them as the train hurtled through the tunnels and across rickety bridges. The shadows of the rocks made everything seem more mysterious and thrilling. As they rounded a corner, they passed the famous goat holding a stick of dynamite in its mouth.

“There’s the goat!” Mandy yelled, pointing. “Remember last time it freaked me out?”

“I love that goat,” Zac shouted, gripping the side of the car.

By the time they finished the ride, the kids were buzzing with excitement. “Big Thunder at night is way better than during the day,” Christian Jr. said, wide-eyed.

“Agreed,” Roman added. “Let’s make that a new rule—always at night.”

Jungle Cruise: The Night Expedition

Next stop: Jungle Cruise. They hustled over, eager to experience the famous nighttime version of the ride. They climbed aboard the boat, where the Skipper was already cracking jokes before they even left the dock.

As they drifted through the dark jungle, the lights on the animatronic animals seemed a little more convincing, and the darkness made the terrible puns hit even harder.

“And here we have the back side of water!” the Skipper announced with great fanfare.

Steve groaned, shaking his head. “I’ll never understand why that joke has endured this long.”

The kids, meanwhile, were laughing way too hard. “It’s classic!” Kaiden argued.

“And over here we have the rarest sight of all—people still hungry for churros after eating so many today,” the Skipper quipped as the boat passed by another group.

The families disembarked, still chuckling over the cheesy humor, and decided it was time for one last meal before calling it a night.

Harbour Galley: A Feast Fit for Pirates

They made their way over to the Harbour Galley for a feast of clam chowder in bread bowls and lobster rolls with chips. As they dug into the steaming bowls of chowder, everyone was in awe.

“This is so good,” Jeff said, holding up his bread bowl triumphantly.

“The bread bowl is genius,” Mandy agreed between bites. “I feel like I’m eating a hug.”

“And these lobster rolls…” Lissa swooned, “I mean, wow.”

As they were eating, a Disneyland duck nonchalantly waddled through their group, looking for crumbs. Lissa and Brandon, caught off guard, both jumped out of their seats in alarm.

“Ahh! It’s coming for me!” Brandon shouted, hopping onto his chair.

“It’s just a duck, Brandon,” Kevin said, laughing. “They live here, too.”

But Brandon wasn’t convinced. “That thing has murderous intent in its eyes. I’ve seen enough nature documentaries to know!”

Lissa was equally wary. “I’m not a fan of ducks with an attitude.”

The rest of the group just laughed as the duck quacked lazily and wandered off.

A Perfect Nightcap

With full bellies and satisfied taste buds, the families decided to cap off the night with a stroll through the park. As they walked, the lights twinkled above them, and the air was cool and filled with the lingering scents of popcorn and churros.

“What a day,” Steve said, looking around. “But I’m not done yet. We still have churros, right?”

“You and those churros,” Scot chuckled.

With laughs and contented sighs, the group made their way toward the park exit, their heads already filled with plans for tomorrow.

As the families made their way toward the shuttle back to the Toy Story parking area, they felt an odd mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. The day had been long, full of churros, roller coasters, and enough puns to last a lifetime. They joined the line for the shuttle, rubbing their eyes and yawning.

"Remember how the shuttle broke down this morning?" Zac asked, staring up at the sky. "That feels like it was three days ago."

"No kidding," Mandy agreed. "I feel like we've lived a whole week in one day."

Brandon yawned so wide it looked like his jaw might unhinge. "Can we just teleport back to the hotel?"

"Unfortunately, Disney magic doesn’t cover teleportation… yet," Jeff said, half-asleep on his feet. "But I wouldn’t be surprised if they charge extra for it when they do."

As they boarded the shuttle, everyone slumped into their seats, grateful for the chance to sit down. The kids still had a faint buzz of excitement in their eyes, but the adults looked ready to fall asleep on the spot.

"I'm calling it now—first thing we do when we get back is hit the hot tub," Steve declared.

"Yes!" Roman chimed in, perking up at the thought. "My feet are dead. I can barely feel them."

"Dead feet or not, I’m getting in that hot tub," Mandy said. "We deserve it after a day like today."

The shuttle started moving, and the familiar streets of Anaheim rolled past the windows. As the shuttle made its way through the city, everyone sat in a dreamy, happy silence, reflecting on the day's adventures.

Back at the Toy Story Parking Lot

Once they finally arrived at the Toy Story parking lot, it took a few minutes to locate the cars, but they all piled in, ready for the short drive back to the hotel.

Steve took the wheel, his churro-fueled enthusiasm still running high. As they left the parking lot, he hit the gas with a little too much enthusiasm, causing the car to lurch forward.

"Whoa there, Mario Kart," Lissa said from the backseat. "Are we in a race or something?"

"Just trying to make it to the hot tub before the rest of you," Steve grinned, whipping around a corner like he was auditioning for Fast & Furious: Anaheim Drift.

As they pulled up to a stoplight, a pedestrian crossed the street in front of them, giving Steve an unmistakable stink-eye. "Learn how to drive, you maniac!" the pedestrian yelled.

Steve, unfazed, shrugged. "That's just jealousy talking. Everyone wishes they had churro power like me."

Julene laughed, but the kids in the back were holding on for dear life. "I thought Disneyland was the thrill ride," Amelia muttered.

The Hot Tub Bliss

Finally, they reached the hotel in one piece, and everyone made a beeline for their rooms to change into swimsuits. Moments later, they reconvened at the hotel’s hot tub, which was already steaming and inviting under the soft glow of the pool lights.

As soon as they sank into the hot tub, a collective sigh of relief echoed around the group.

"Ahhh… this is what I’ve been dreaming about all day," Scot groaned, sinking deeper into the water.

"Same," Kevin said, stretching his legs. "My calves feel like they’ve been attacked by a herd of Disneyland ducks."

"I don’t know why we even bother going to the park when the hot tub is clearly the best part," Jeff joked.

Brandon, however, was the last to join, taking his sweet time dipping his toes into the water. "I think I’m going to live here now," he declared once he was fully submerged, sinking down until just his eyes and nose were above water.

"Uh-oh, we’ve lost him," Scot said, shaking his head. "Brandon’s become one with the hot tub."

"Good luck getting him out," Zac joked. "I’m not fighting him this time."

After about thirty blissful minutes in the hot tub, the reality of their exhaustion set in. It was time to call it a night.

"Alright, let’s drag Brandon out," Kevin said, rolling his eyes.

What followed was a wrestling match that could only be described as "brotherly chaos," with Kevin and Zac attempting to heave a very reluctant Brandon from the water.

"I’ll never leave!" Brandon cried dramatically, gripping the edge of the tub.

"Get out, or you’ll turn into a prune!" Kevin laughed, finally managing to haul him out, dripping and protesting.

Finally, Bedtime

With the hot tub adventure over, the families dried off and made their way back to their rooms. As they flopped onto their beds, the excitement of the day began to fade, replaced by the promise of a good night’s sleep.

“Goodnight, Disneyland,” Mandy said, her voice muffled by a pillow.

“See you in the morning,” Lissa whispered, already half-asleep.

The kids were out like lights, their dreams undoubtedly filled with churros, roller coasters, and Star Wars battles. As everyone drifted off, they knew one thing for sure—tomorrow would be another magical day.

The next morning, the families woke up feeling... off. It wasn’t that kind of "Oh no, we're late" panic that hits you out of nowhere, but more of a nagging feeling. Like when you forget something important but can’t quite remember what it was.

“Does anyone else feel weird?” Trevor asked as they all shuffled down to the hotel breakfast area, yawning and stretching. "Like, something’s wrong?"

“Nope,” Scot said, rubbing his eyes. “Just feeling Disneyland tired.”

“Maybe you’re still in a churro coma,” Mandy teased, patting Trevor on the head as they walked into the breakfast area. But as they started to grab plates, that strange feeling lingered.

The breakfast buffet, which had been a golden paradise of make-your-own waffles, eggs, sausage, and yogurt the day before, was now... lacking.

“Wait,” Zac said, eyeing the slim offerings. “Where’s all the sausage?”

“We’re out,” said the breakfast attendant with a deadpan expression, like it was a perfectly normal thing to have run out of. "And we only have one kind of yogurt today—plain."

Lissa shot a look across the buffet. "Plain yogurt? Who eats plain yogurt? Is that even yogurt?"

“Well, there are waffles,” Kevin pointed out, trying to stay positive as he piled his plate high.

That was, until Brandon accidentally knocked over the syrup. A slow-motion disaster, the bottle tipped, and a sticky river of syrup flooded the counter, dripping over onto the floor.

“I swear,” Julene said with a sigh, grabbing some napkins. “Why is it always the syrup?”

“We’re cursed,” Lissa muttered, half-joking as she dodged the growing syrup puddle.

As the families sat down to eat their barebones breakfast, that odd feeling crept back in.

“Something’s definitely wrong today,” Reagan said, staring down at her plain yogurt like it might be plotting against her.

“Yeah, but we’re not letting it stop us,” Steve said with determination. “Another day at Disneyland! Nothing can ruin that. Not even plain yogurt and no sausage.”

There was a murmur of agreement, though everyone seemed a little hesitant, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Back to the Toy Story Parking Lot

After breakfast, they piled into the cars once again, heading to the Toy Story parking area. But the strange feeling lingered in the air, like a cloud following them all the way to the lot. As they parked, they looked at each other, still unsure what felt so off.

"You think the shuttle's gonna break down again?" Roman asked, half-serious.

"Don't jinx it," Mandy warned, with a nervous chuckle.

As they boarded the shuttle, there was a sense of déjà vu. Everyone glanced around, as if expecting the shuttle to suddenly stop or for something weird to happen. But this time, the shuttle ran smoothly. No breakdowns, no sudden stops. Still, the unease remained.

“I swear,” Jeff said, looking around the group. “This morning feels like three mornings ago.”

“Again,” Mandy agreed. “But hey, it’s Disneyland, right? How bad can it be?”

With that, they set off for day two, still feeling strange, but hopeful that the magic of Disneyland would make everything right. After all, who could stay worried with churros and roller coasters waiting? Surely, another day at the park would be a great time... right?

Security Problems

As the families stepped off the shuttle, the strangeness from the morning clung to them like the syrup from breakfast. But nothing could have prepared them for what awaited next.

Instead of the usual smooth walk from the shuttle drop-off to the front gates, a new, second round of security had been set up. Lines snaked through an array of metal detectors, X-ray machines, and Disney cast members in high-vis vests, all sporting very serious faces.

"Uh, since when is Disneyland an airport?" Zac asked, eyeing the extra security with suspicion.

Julene frowned. "This wasn't here yesterday."

"Maybe they caught onto the churro smuggling ring we were going to start," Steve quipped, though he looked a little concerned too.

They joined the line, inching their way forward with all the excitement of people waiting to get their teeth cleaned.

When it was finally Kevin’s turn, the metal detector beeped loudly as soon as he stepped through. A nearby security guard, looking particularly displeased, waved him back through.

"Do you have... a lot of jewelry on?" the guard asked, raising an eyebrow as Kevin began removing what seemed like a never-ending supply of chains, rings, and bracelets from various parts of his body.

"I like to accessorize!" Kevin protested, handing over three more bracelets he’d forgotten about.

The detector beeped again. The guard sighed. “Please check your pockets.”

Kevin patted himself down, pulling out yet another set of rings. "Oh, and these."

The security guard's patience was visibly thinning. "Is that all?"

"I think so?" Kevin looked uncertain, but after one more pass, the machine gave a soft click of approval. Kevin shrugged. "Told you, it's a lifestyle."

Meanwhile, Julene was busy arguing with another security guard about her scissors.

“These are safety scissors,” she insisted, waving the small, blunt-edged pair that looked more suited for kindergarten craft time than anything nefarious.

“Ma’am, we can’t allow any sharp objects into the park,” the guard said firmly.

“They’re not sharp!” Julene protested. “I use these to cut the tags off things, not wage war.”

The guard held firm, and with a dramatic sigh, Julene surrendered her beloved scissors to the confiscation bin. "First plain yogurt, now this? What's next, they ban my hair ties?"

But the real drama was happening just a few feet away, where Brandon was going through his own personal crisis.

As he stepped forward to be checked, a bomb-sniffing dog—large, alert, and very interested—trotted up to him. Brandon’s eyes widened in pure terror.

"Uh... why is that dog coming over here?" he asked, backing up a little too quickly.

The handler gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, he's just doing his job."

"Yeah, but I didn’t do anything!" Brandon said, voice getting higher by the second.

The dog, oblivious to Brandon's terror, started sniffing around him with laser focus, circling twice before stopping and giving Brandon's shoes a good sniff.

Brandon, frozen in place, looked like he might faint at any moment. "I don't have any bombs! I barely have snacks!"

The dog finally moved on, satisfied, but Brandon was left shaken. "Can we not do that again, ever?"

What is Happening to Us?

By now, the rest of the family had cleared security, but something felt undeniably off. Maybe it was the dog incident, maybe it was the confiscated scissors, or maybe it was the over-the-top security setup itself, but everyone had that uneasy feeling again.

As they regrouped past the security checkpoint, Steve glanced around. "Does anyone else feel like we're in the opening scenes of a disaster movie? You know, the part where things are just a little too normal but you can tell something's about to go horribly wrong?"

Lissa shuddered. "You’re not helping."

Still, not to be deterred, the families kept moving forward. After all, this was Disneyland—where nothing bad ever happened... right?

But as they walked toward the park gates, even the churro carts seemed to be missing, and that strange feeling clung to them like a shadow. Something was off, and though they couldn't quite put their fingers on it, they had the creeping sense that the day was just getting started.

As the families finally emerged from the extra security checkpoint, something felt... even more off. The familiar buzz of the Disney Esplanade, normally brimming with cheerful music, colorful lights, and excited families, seemed unusually quiet. The upbeat melodies that usually played over the speakers were gone, replaced by an odd, slow tune that didn’t quite fit the Disney magic.

“Is it just me, or is that the music from Fantasia?” Trevor asked, glancing up at the speakers suspiciously. “The weird part with the dancing mushrooms?”

Kevin frowned. “It’s like we’ve stepped into an alternate Disney universe... you know, the creepy one.”

“And where is everyone?” Lissa asked, looking around the nearly empty plaza. Normally, the Esplanade was a chaotic sea of people, but now it felt like a ghost town. Sure, there were a few groups wandering around, but nothing like the packed crowds they'd come to expect.

Zac nodded. “It’s like the apocalypse, but with churros and Mickey ears.”

“Maybe everyone else got spooked by the bomb-sniffing dogs,” Roman suggested, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting another one to appear out of nowhere.

“Or maybe,” Steve said dramatically, “we're the last ones left, and the only survivors must uncover the dark secrets of the Magic Kingdom.”

Julene rolled her eyes. “Let’s not get too carried away, Steve.”

Something Strange in the Air

The families continued their slow march toward the DCA turnstiles, still surrounded by the eerie quiet of the Esplanade. The once lively hub between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure felt more like a ghost town than a bustling theme park entrance. The odd, hollow version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" drifted through the air, only heightening their growing unease.

Steve stopped in his tracks and squinted ahead. “Is it me, or does the park seem... abandoned?”

“Maybe it’s a surprise ‘Apocalypse Day’ event,” Kevin said, shrugging. “They’re really committing to the theme.”

“Or we’re in a secret Disney horror movie,” Zac added. “Where Goofy’s the villain.”

“Zac!” Julene scolded. “Not in front of the younger kids.”

Gage, who had been gripping Julene's hand tightly, looked up at her with wide eyes. “Goofy’s not really a villain, right?”

Julene gave him a reassuring smile, though even she couldn’t fully shake the strange vibe. “Of course not, sweetheart. Goofy’s... well, he’s just goofy.”

As they approached the DCA turnstiles, it became clear that something wasn’t quite right. There was barely anyone ahead of them. The cast members at the gates looked almost bored, which was unheard of at this time of the day. Usually, the entrance to DCA was buzzing with energy, excitement, and people crammed in like sardines.

“I don’t know about you guys,” Mandy whispered, leaning in toward Lissa, “but this morning has been strange.”

“Definitely,” Lissa agreed, nodding as she scanned the area. “It feels like we’re walking into the set of a post-apocalyptic Disney movie.”

Trevor smirked. “I told you guys, Disney’s got a dark side. This is proof.”

Something Strange in the Air, Part 2

Still, despite the bizarre circumstances, the families pressed forward toward the turnstiles, determined to get inside and enjoy their day at Disney California Adventure. The kids started cracking jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

“Why did Elsa stay away from the Esplanade today?” Kaiden asked with a sly grin.

“I don’t know, why?” Roman replied.

“Because she could feel it in her bones... something was off!”

The kids groaned, but it was a welcome distraction.

“Okay, okay, what does Daisy Duck say when she buys lipstick?” Trevor jumped in.

“What?” asked Branson, already giggling.

“Put it on my bill!”

More groans and a few chuckles followed. Gage threw in his attempt, which came out more nervous than funny. “What kind of car does Mickey Mouse drive?”

“What?” Kevin humored him.

“A Minnie-van!”

Even though the jokes helped ease the tension, the families still exchanged uneasy glances as they approached the turnstiles.

Steve scratched his head, narrowing his eyes at the cast members standing at the gates. “Something’s definitely not right. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel it.”

Scot sighed. “Steve, you say that every time we get near the front gate. You’re paranoid.”

Steve didn’t reply. He just kept glancing around, like he was expecting something — or someone — to jump out at them.

Finally, the group reached the turnstiles, and the cast members greeted them with surprisingly wide grins. There were so few other guests nearby, they seemed excited to have something to do.

“Oh my gosh,” one cast member said, staring at the huge group. “Did you guys bring half of California with you?”

“Just Utah,” Mandy quipped.

Things are Looking Up

The families laughed, but as they lined up to enter the park, the eerie quiet returned. Something was definitely strange about this morning, and it felt like they were getting closer to discovering what it was.

Steve, always the suspicious one, took one last glance at the deserted esplanade and approached the cast member working the turnstile with a frown. "Okay, I’ve got to ask. What’s going on here? Where is everybody? Is this some kind of Twilight Zone thing where we’re the only ones left in the park?"

The cast member, a cheerful woman with an overly bright smile, didn’t miss a beat. “Oh no, sir, nothing creepy here at all! You’ve just stumbled upon the least busy day of the entire year!”

Steve raised an eyebrow. “The least busy day?”

“Yep!” she replied, beaming. “Congratulations! You’re one of the very lucky few to come to Disney California Adventure on a day where the crowds are practically nonexistent. But that’s not all—you’re also in for a bunch of exclusive perks.”

The families exchanged confused glances.

“Exclusive perks?” Mandy echoed, crossing her arms.

“Oh, you bet! For one, we’re giving out free ice cream all day. Free Fast Passes too! Want to ride Radiator Springs Racers ten times in a row? You can! No lines, no waiting!”

Brandon’s eyes widened. “Free Fast Passes? Like... unlimited?”

The cast member nodded enthusiastically. “And that’s not even the best part! You know what else is free? Churros. Lots and lots of churros. All day, as many as you want.”

At this, the group went silent. Free churros? It was almost too good to be true. Kevin narrowed his eyes. “Free churros? For real? I’ve been burned by promises of free churros before.”

The cast member chuckled. “I promise! And... to make today even more special, we’ve invited a ton of celebrities to join us in the park. You might bump into some of your favorite stars!”

Lissa, ever the skeptic, squinted at her. “Okay, hold on. Free ice cream? Unlimited Fast Passes? Free churros? And celebrities? This sounds like some kind of elaborate prank.”

Best Day Ever

The cast member put her hand over her heart. “Cross my heart! No prank. Disney is trying out a new ‘Surprise Magic Day’ event. You just happened to pick the right day to come.”

Trevor stepped forward, arms crossed. “This feels suspicious. No one told us anything about this. How come it’s so secret?”

“Well, it’s a test run,” the cast member said with a wink. “We wanted to see how people would react if they were suddenly given the best Disney day ever. Looks like you’re our lucky guinea pigs!”

Scot looked doubtful. “Come on. There’s no such thing as a ‘best Disney day ever’ without paying for it. How much extra are we going to have to pay for all this?”

“Not a penny more!” the cast member chirped, holding up her hand as if to swear an oath. “In fact, I guarantee you’re going to save money today. No hidden charges, no tricks. Just pure Disney magic.”

Steve shook his head, not buying it. “This sounds like some corporate trap. What’s the catch? Do we have to sit through a timeshare presentation at the Grand Californian or something?”

“Oh no, sir,” the cast member laughed, “we don’t do timeshares. This is a 100% authentic Disney experience.”

Mandy leaned toward Lissa. “She’s way too chipper. I don’t trust it.”

“Agreed,” Lissa whispered back, eyeing the cast member with suspicion.

At this point, the kids were practically vibrating with excitement. “Free churros! Did you hear that?” Kaiden shouted, tugging on his dad’s arm. “I’m going to eat, like, a hundred churros today!”

“That’s a good idea,” Roman said sarcastically. “You’ll be in a sugar coma before lunchtime.”

Julene, still skeptical, stepped up. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been coming to this park for years, and I’ve never seen a day like this. You’re telling me that we just randomly chose the one day when everything’s free and there are no crowds?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you!” The cast member grinned like a cat that had caught a very big mouse. “I mean, look around! No lines, no people—it's like you have the park to yourselves!”

Kevin pulled out his phone and started scrolling. “I don’t know, I’m going to check Twitter. There’s gotta be something about this.”

“You won’t find it,” the cast member said with a knowing smile. “This event isn’t advertised. It’s pure luck. You won the Disney lottery!”

“Disney lottery,” Steve muttered under his breath, clearly still unconvinced. “Next, she’s going to tell us we’re getting free Mickey ears.”

“Funny you should mention that!” the cast member said, reaching into a nearby bin and pulling out a stack of shiny new Mickey ears. “Here you go! Free Mickey ears for everyone!”

That was it. The kids lost their minds. “No way!” Zac yelled, grabbing a pair. “This is the best day ever!”

But the adults weren’t so quick to be won over. Scot, with his skeptical expression, eyed the Mickey ears in his hands. “Okay, now I know something’s up. Free churros is one thing, but free merchandise? This is Disney we’re talking about. They don’t give anything away for free.”

Steve nodded. “Yeah, what’s next? Free annual passes?”

The cast member winked. “I wouldn’t push your luck, sir. But I guarantee this day is going to be one for the record books.”

Mandy folded her arms. “This sounds fishy. But I guess we’ll find out once we get inside.”

The cast member flashed another blinding smile. “You certainly will! Welcome to Disney California Adventure, and enjoy your magical day!”

Worst Day Ever

As the families approached the turnstiles, there was a noticeable spring in their step after hearing about the supposedly magical, empty day ahead of them. Steve led the charge, his ticket in hand, ready to see if this dream-like day of free ice cream and churros was actually real.

"Alright," Steve said, waving his ticket under the scanner with all the confidence of a man who knew Disney like the back of his hand.

Beep.

Nothing. The little green light didn’t flash. The gate didn’t open. The ticket remained... unscanned.

The cast member frowned slightly, looking down at her scanner and giving it a quick tap. "Huh. That’s odd. Let’s try again!"

Steve slid the ticket under the scanner once more.

Beep.

Again, nothing. The cast member’s smile faltered. She tapped her scanner a little harder this time, as if the magic was hidden deep within the device. "Just a second, sometimes these things act up. Let me reset it real quick."

Behind Steve, the rest of the families had already started shifting uncomfortably. Kevin groaned, jingling his unnecessarily large collection of necklaces and bracelets, which had caused its own security delay earlier. “Are we going in, or what?”

"Relax," Steve called back, maintaining his calm dad demeanor. "These things happen."

The cast member tapped at the screen again, this time with a little more vigor, muttering something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, "I swear this thing was working five minutes ago..."

She smiled apologetically at Steve. "Okay, one more time. I think we’ve got it now."

Steve waved his ticket under the scanner again.

Beep.

Nothing.

A murmur of frustration rippled through the group. Lissa looked at her watch and sighed. “We’ve been standing here for like ten minutes already.”

The cast member chuckled nervously. “Oh, it’s not that long—only about six minutes. But hey, time flies when you’re having fun, right?”

Trevor whispered to Brandon, “Yeah, fun... if ‘fun’ means standing in line again.”

Steve exhaled, his patience starting to fray. “Okay, is there a way we can get this sorted out? Maybe just punch in the numbers manually or something?”

The cast member scratched her head and glanced at her device one more time, then back at the long line forming behind the families. “You know... I don’t think it’s the scanner that’s the problem anymore.”

Steve blinked. “What do you mean?”

She handed the ticket back to him, looking confused herself. “Sir... this ticket’s not scanning because... well, I don’t think it’s valid.”

Silence fell over the group. The kids, who had been joking moments before, now stared at Steve.

“What do you mean, not valid?” Steve asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and rising panic.

The cast member furrowed her brow. “It looks like this ticket was used... yesterday.”

The words hung in the air like a bad smell. Steve blinked again, his brain working overtime to process the information.

Yesterday.

Used.

Steve’s eyes went wide, and his face turned several shades paler. “Wait. Wait, wait, wait. You’re telling me... that I only bought a one-day ticket?”

The cast member nodded sympathetically. “Yes, sir. It appears you only had a one-day ticket, and that day was... well, yesterday.”

One Day Ticket

The entire family went silent. There was a pause. A long pause. Then:

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Mandy groaned, rubbing her temples.

"You only bought a one-day ticket?" Lissa repeated, eyes wide. "Steve!"

“I—I thought I bought two days!” Steve stammered, flipping through his phone frantically, pulling up confirmation emails, frantically searching for something that would make this all make sense.

“Well,” the cast member said with a sigh, “this does happen sometimes. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do to help...”

“But we just heard that today’s supposed to be some kind of magical day!” Scot protested. “Free churros, celebrities! You said it yourself!”

The cast member nodded, still smiling in that strange, unflappable Disney way. “Yes, but unfortunately, without tickets, you won’t be able to enter. And, even worse, we’re not selling any more tickets for the day. You see, we’re keeping the parks intentionally under capacity to create that extra magical, empty feel.”

Steve slumped. “So... you’re telling me that not only do we not have valid tickets, but even if we wanted to buy more...”

The cast member shook her head. “We’re all sold out, I’m afraid.”

A collective groan erupted from the families. Brandon tugged at Steve’s shirt. “Dad, does that mean... no free churros?”

Steve stared at the cast member, disbelief washing over him. “We drove all the way here. We stood in line. We... and now you're telling me...?”

The cast member nodded again, still so, so cheerful. “Yes, sir. I’m very sorry. It looks like today just isn’t your magical day.”

Steve blinked, his eyes twitching as if ready to pop. He slowly turned to face his very large, very disappointed family. "So... anyone up for heading back to the hot tub?"

As the weight of what had just transpired settled in, the families stood motionless in the middle of the esplanade. The happy Disney music that had seemed so promising just moments before now felt like cruel mockery. Colorful banners waved in the breeze, cheerful music played, and the distant sound of the Disneyland train whistle echoed through the air—but for the families, all they could hear was the crushing silence of disbelief.

They didn’t speak at first. They just stared at Steve.

Steve, who had only bought one-day tickets.

Steve, who had led them here with the promise of free churros, ice cream, and FastPasses.

Steve, who, at this very moment, looked like he wanted to crawl into one of the nearby trash cans and live there forever.

“Well... this is... something,” Scot finally muttered, breaking the silence, hands on his hips.

Lissa, always quick with words, pointed a finger at Steve. “You mean to tell me... that we are done? The magical free churro day is over... because you only bought a one-day ticket?”

Steve shuffled his feet. “I... I thought I clicked the two-day option. It was a mistake. Honest.”

“A mistake?!” Mandy sputtered, throwing her arms in the air. “Steve, we drove all the way down here, again, and now we have to leave before we even got in?”

“I just don’t understand...” Zac added, looking dazed. “We didn’t even get to see the free churros.”

"I told you something felt off this morning," Julene said, shaking her head. "I just didn't know it would be this off."

The kids stood, slack-jawed, some still clutching Mickey Mouse hats and churro fantasies. Brandon sighed heavily. “So... what do we do now?”

This Goes From Bad to Worse

Slowly, as if dragged by invisible ropes, the families began to shuffle toward the shuttle stop, heads hung low. The usual hustle and bustle of the esplanade—families buzzing with excitement, music playing—felt completely alien to them. It was like the world was in color, but they were seeing it in black and white.

“We’re really going back to the shuttle?” Trevor asked, staring at the ground as he walked. “It’s barely even breakfast time.”

“Do you think there’s even a shuttle running this early?” Reagan asked, a little uncertainty creeping into her voice. “We’re probably the only people going back to the parking lot before 9 a.m.”

“We’re trendsetters,” Kevin muttered dryly, his jingling jewelry now feeling completely out of place.

When they arrived at the shuttle stop, the bus was, unsurprisingly, empty. Not a single other soul in sight. The families climbed on board, the smell of diesel and Disney disappointment thick in the air. The bus driver, clearly in a chipper mood, glanced at the massive group with a raised eyebrow as they sat down, looking as defeated as if they'd just been through the worst line-cutting scandal of the century.

As they boarded, the driver, an older man with a smirk, eyed the unusually somber group. “Well, that was fast,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “Forget something? Like, uh... tickets?”

The families, exhausted and utterly defeated, didn’t respond. The silence was deafening.

The driver tried again. “Or maybe y’all just aren’t morning people, huh?”

Still nothing. The driver sighed, accepting his defeat, and shifted the bus into gear.

The ride back to the Toy Story parking lot felt eternal, the air thick with the weight of collective disappointment.

Back at the hotel, the families huddled together in the cramped lobby, still reeling from the morning's disastrous turn of events. They settled into a corner with some couches and began brainstorming ideas for salvaging the day.

“Well, we still have the hotel for tonight,” Steve said, trying to sound optimistic.

“Yeah,” Mandy replied, still skeptical, “but what are we supposed to do all day? Sit around and cry over missed churros?”

Julene, ever the planner, perked up. “What about the Santa Monica Pier? We went a few years ago, and the kids loved it.”

“Ugh,” Zac groaned. “Remember how Trevor threw up after riding that rollercoaster too many times?”

Trevor grinned. “Worth it.”

“Oh! What about Seal Beach?” Lissa chimed in. “We had so much fun there last time. The kids were tiny, but they had a blast playing in the sand.”

“Seal Beach is good,” Christian nodded. “But it’s kind of cold today. Do we really want to freeze our butts off at the beach?”

“We could eat lunch at Bubba Gump’s,” Jeff suggested. “I could definitely go for some shrimp.”

“Bubba Gump’s?” Steve rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “That could work. It’s touristy, but in a good way.”

Kevin piped up. “As long as we don’t have to answer any trivia questions from Forrest Gump this time. Last time they asked us ten questions, and we got, like, one right.”

The group chuckled, starting to warm up to the idea of a laid-back day by the beach, maybe with some seafood and arcade games thrown in. But just as they began mapping out their plan, the door to the suite swung open, and in marched a cheerful housekeeper with a cart full of fresh linens.

“Hi! Just here to clean up!” she chirped, completely unaware of the storm brewing in the room.

Mandy blinked. “Uh… clean up? We’re still here.”

The housekeeper paused, a confused look crossing her face. “Oh, but check-out was at 11. You’re not... staying another night, are you?”

The entire room went dead silent.

Julene looked at Steve with wide eyes. “Wait… didn’t you book two nights here?”

Steve’s face went pale. “I… I thought I did.”

“You thought you did?” Lissa exclaimed, her voice rising in panic.

“Wait, does that mean we’re not even staying here tonight?” asked Zac, already halfway between horrified and hysterical.

The housekeeper glanced at her watch. “I’m afraid not. And if you don’t check out soon, there might be some, um... extra charges.”

Suddenly, the fun-filled Santa Monica Pier plans, the laid-back day at Seal Beach, and the potential Bubba Gump’s shrimp feast all went out the window. Everyone stood there, mouths agape, as the reality of the situation sunk in.

“We don’t even have a place to stay?” Trevor asked, as though this were some kind of nightmare.

“No,” Mandy said slowly, her disbelief turning into something between a laugh and a cry. “We… have to leave. Now.”

Brandon threw his hands up. “We’ve been evicted from two places today!”

The families scrambled into action, throwing clothes into bags, zipping up suitcases, and checking under beds for stray socks. It was a chaotic blur of activity, with everyone marveling at how quickly their amazing Disneyland trip had turned into a complete disaster.

“We were literally having the best time,” Kevin muttered, stuffing his toothbrush into a pocket. “And now? Now, we’re homeless.”

Julene zipped up her suitcase and sighed. “How did this happen so fast?”

Christian shook his head in disbelief. “One minute, we’re eating churros. The next minute, we’re refugees from Disneyland, kicked out of our own hotel.”

“I mean, at least we still have our health, right?” Steve offered, trying to lighten the mood.

Mandy shot him a look. “Steve, if I were you, I wouldn’t say another word for the rest of the day.”

And with that, the families dragged their suitcases out of the room, checking out of the hotel, and stepping into the harsh sunlight. What had started as an epic Disneyland adventure had now turned into a mad dash to avoid extra hotel fees. They stood on the curb, bags in hand, trying to figure out what had just happened.

“Well,” Lissa said with a deep breath, “that escalated quickly.”

Julene nodded. “From magical churros to this... in record time.”

A Total Nightmare

Steve jolted awake, gasping for air like he’d just run a marathon, his heart pounding in his chest. His shirt clung to him in a pool of sweat as he sat up, wide-eyed, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

He scanned the dark room, and for a brief moment, the horror of the day came rushing back—getting kicked out of Disneyland, the hotel eviction, the complete and utter disaster that unfolded at every turn. But… something wasn’t right. He was in his own bed. At home.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Steve mumbled, rubbing his face with both hands. It had all been a nightmare—a ridiculous, stress-induced nightmare.

Still panicked, Steve scrambled to grab his phone from the nightstand, his fingers trembling as he unlocked it. He immediately opened the hotel reservation app. The glowing screen confirmed what he needed to see: Two nights booked. Perfect.

He sighed in relief, his heartbeat finally starting to slow down.

But then, a new surge of panic hit him. The park tickets! He fumbled through his email and opened the Disneyland confirmation email. He held his breath as the page loaded.

Two-day tickets. Park Hopper. All set.

Steve collapsed back onto his pillow, exhaling deeply. “It was just a dream… Just a nightmare,” he muttered, half-laughing at himself now. His ridiculous brain had conjured the most absurd Disney disaster imaginable.

He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, catching his breath.

Mandy rolled over, bleary-eyed. “Steve, why are you awake? What’s going on?”

Steve shook his head. “Nothing… just a nightmare. We, uh, got kicked out of Disneyland… and the hotel… and there were no churros.”

She blinked. “No churros? Now that’s a nightmare.”

Steve chuckled, finally starting to relax. “Yeah. Planning a trip to Disneyland is fun and all, but man… even my dreams are stressed out.”

Mandy smiled sleepily. “Well, at least you’ll get a good night’s sleep before the actual trip.”

Steve nodded, pulling the blanket up to his chin. “Yeah. Just remind me to triple-check everything in the morning.”

As Steve closed his eyes, the chaos of the dream faded away, leaving only the anticipation of the real Disneyland trip ahead. He smiled to himself as he drifted back to sleep, knowing that no matter how stressful the planning was, the memories—nightmares aside—would be worth every minute.

After all, no Disney trip is complete without a little bit of stress… and a whole lot of churros.