It still seems hard to believe that just under a week ago, I was in California with the #DisneyInHomeBloggers, visiting Disneyland and California Adventure. It was all so much fun and I never would have believed we could pack so much excitement into one day. I had been to Disney World in Florida, but this was my first time in Disneyland. As a big group, we toured parts of Disneyland and California Adventure, and got to ride the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Sitting at a porthole in the submarine, we went underwater to explore a newly erupting undersea volcano. The best part was seeing Nemo and his friends under water riding the East Australian Current (just like in the movie)!

As a large group we also rode the Matterhorn Bobsleds together, which just reopened in June. On this ride, you climb 80 feet into the air inside an icy cave and the only way off this mountain is down! At a quite the twisty, fast pace might I add. Did you know that they have actual people climb the outside of that thing? It was crazy to watch!

After lunch our large group was broken up into three smaller groups. Each group was treated to a guide who took us around to the rides we wanted to make sure we hit and I have to tell you how amazing that was! We were able to pack so much in, while also hearing all about the parks in the process. Indiana Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Star Wars Star Tours were just some of my favorites!
My absolute best part of the entire outing that day was the Radiator Springs Racers Experience in Carsland… scratch that, the Racers was my favorite ride by far, but I was in love with ALL of Carsland from the moment we stepped inside. My three boys are giant fans of the entire Cars franchise… the movies (which we own), the toys… they love everything about them. Walking into Carsland at California Adventure took my breath away. It was like you were right there, in the movie. And the entire place really did exist. My kids would Love Disneyland for sure, but I knew immediately that Carsland would be the highlight for them.

With rides like Luigi’s Flying Tires and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, kids and adults will be in love. Even the little shops and drink stands are totally Cars. Did you know there is a spot you can get a drink that comes in a little orange road cone with a straw? Adorable.
The Radiator Springs Racers is a ride that can.not.be.missed! You board a 6-person car for what starts out as a scenic road trip through Ornament Valley. Strolling through the original settlement of Radiator Springs you get to see how Stanley capitalized on a natural cold spring and built a series of attractions — like a “pull up and fill-up” coolant station, a building made entirely out of empty oil bottles and the Comfy Cavern Motor Court — to grow into the town everyone knows today. On the way to Radiator Springs you come across Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, Luigi, Guido, Mack, Ramone and Doc Hudson.
Your car will then get tuned up either at Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or Ramone’s House of Body Art… you won’t know which one you will end up at. And just like that you are off for a wild race. We were totally surprised to see another car full of people appear alongside of us. Suddenly we were racing over hills, around high-banked turns, and straightaways through the area to see who would get to the checkered flag first… and only one car wins. Definitely a thrilling ride that I would do over and over again!

We ended our visit that day with a little shopping (had to get a few things for my boys in Carsland) and came away with memories that will last forever. I am so excited to take my boys!