More Exploring

Pete and I woke this morning to do some final exploring in LA and surrounding areas before heading back to Disneyland later tonight.

It's a nice sunny day again today although there is a little chill in the air making it a tad cold. Thankfully at the moment there is no wind, great signs for tonights Fireworks display at Disneyland - fingers crossed.

We were getting ready to go out for the day when Pete realised we didn't end up purchasing a t-shirt he picked out at the Billabong shop the other day, gah. Explains why it ended up being cheaper than I thought it should've been. We will head back over to the Citadel markets on our way back to Anaheim later this afternoon to purchase it.

Our first stop was the Griffith Observatory this morning, we were there last night and the sights were so amazing we wanted to check it out again this morning in the daylight and to get our token Hollywood Sign picture.

I would've loved to have hiked up to the sign getting that little bit closer (and to work off these burgers) but we were told it was an hour and a half hike and we just don't have that much time spare to do that, damn - next time.

We then went over to the Staples Centre in LA, this is where the American's hold all of their big concerts, major sporting events and the famous Super Bowl. It wasn't anything overly exciting, I guess if we were going in to see an event it would look more spectacular from the inside but I was glad I got to see it and get a happy snap of that too! They are hosting a Lakers game in their later on this week but unfortunately Pete and I will be in Vegas then so won't be able to see it. Would've been a great experience though!

Next stop, back to Santa Monica to see the ALDC in the day time. I am a bit of a Dance Moms fan so it was good to have the spare time to stop back at the studio and see it in the daylight. It wasn't open, due to it being school hours I guess but given that the studio is pretty much brick and wide windows I was able to look inside and suss it out. Looks just how it does on tv and I was also able to grab my happy snap of the whole building this time too!

Then onto the Citadel markets to pick up Pete's shirt, grab a quick bite to eat at Carls Junior - the double cheeseburger was amazing fyi before racing back to Disneyland to enjoy the remainder of the day/night at Disneyland.

We caught the tram into the park which was a nice little ride over and then made a beeline straight over to California Adventure Park. We were there the other day but due to the massive winds, most of the rides had been closed. Today the weather is still amazing with no wind whatsoever so every ride is open and we made sure to go on all of them. I've decided that the California Screamin' Rollercoaster is my favourite ride out of the two parks.

It was fun but after going on almost every ride in both Disneyland and California Adventure Park I have come to the conclusion that...DreamWorld and Movie World rides are the best I've been on so far. Nothing beats the Superman Escape, Tower of Terror or the Giant Drop back in Australia.

We headed over to Disneyland at about 8.45pm ready for the lighting of the castle at 9.30pm. I am glad we didn't leave it any later, given the still night EVERYONE was there to see the magic show with fireworks. It really must be worth it but the crowds were beyond huge, like nothing I have ever seen before.

Once the show started I began to understand why. I thought the lighting of the castle show was incredible on Friday night without the fireworks but tonight was something else. The Fireworks look absolutely incredible and at the end they let a whole heap of bubble machines off making fake snow fall from the sky all over the audience. If I ever have children, I would travel to Disneyland just so that they can experience that - even I felt like a princess and I'm 23!

We went on a few more of the rides over in Disneyland and approaching midnight the rides lines were still up to an hour wait, it was crazy.

We did some more souvenir shopping before heading back home to bed. It's been a very full on time here in Los Angeles so far, as we knew it would be. I don't think we've been at home and in bed before midnight since arriving so both Pete and I are fairly exhausted already. But onward and upward as we both still have so much left to see as we head to Vegas then onto San Fransisco and we both cannot wait.

Tomorrow we are off to SeaWorld in San Diego, a must see for me. San Diego has been on my bucket list forever and to be able to visit the Killer Whales there has been on top of my list.

I am one keen little jelly bean!