Nationals and Disneyland!!

February 22-25, 2018

Sadie had a National Cheer Competition in Anaheim this year. The cheerleaders were planning on spending a couple days in Disneyland as well. We decided we wanted to go and support Sadie and watch her compete...AND of course I can't get that close to Disneyland and not go too! Sadie headed down right after school on Wednesday, February 21st. We woke up bright at early Thursday morning and when I say early I mean early...3:00 am and hit the road.  Adam and I were going to to trade off but he ended up driving the entire way. He tucked himself into bed the night before fairly early so he still got a few hours of sleep. We drove straight to the hotel (Fairfield, across the street) and did an early check-in and walked straight across the street to Disneyland getting there right as it opened at 9:00am.

DAY 1 - Thursday, February 22nd. Quick stop at the sign before heading in. It was definitely different just having Bo this time but we sure had a blast having her pal around with us all weekend. She was so much fun and got spoiled rotten. 

SC Cheerleaders in their cute matching Disney Cheer shirts. We continued to bump into Sadie and the cheerleaders throughout the weekend, so that was fun! 

Being a weekend and having Nationals as well we knew it was going to be busy, so decided to use the new Max Pass system...it was so worth it!! It was awesome and allowed us to be more strategic than a regular fast pass would of. We used it all 3 days. We would basically decide where we were heading next depending on max pass and then hit the other rides without fast passes in between, it worked out great and we were able to get on everything we wanted multiple times with hardly any wait. 

Since Disneyland was having their early entry that day we decided to start in California Adventure. We immediately got our max pass for the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. 

While waiting for our time to come up we hit Little Mermaid...

Strolled through Paradise Pier and checked out all the new Pixar Pier that is coming.

Adam loves Eve. She represents his mom. 

We also went on Toy Story Mania. Gentry is rocking her fanny pack.

and we are rocking the glasses. 

I crushed my competition. 

After Toy Story our time was up for Galaxy. On our way we ran into Sadie stopping for a snack. 

Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Got a kick out of the "Gantry Lift"

We called her Gantry the rest of the time! 

Loved, loved. loved the new ride! It is a PARTY! I always get so nervous when Disney changes things but I just need to have more faith, I always end up loving the change. 

Coming out of Guardians we saw Black Panther. 

Stopped by and talked to Crush on our way to Monster's inc. I'm always so impressed with how they do this.

Saw Sadie again in the line for Monster's inc.

Thought these rules were so funny.

While in line Gentry asked what the thing was that was hanging down...we explained that it was a telephone book. ha ha!

Monster's inc. After Monster's inc we used our Max Pass for Soaring over the World...Again LOVED it. I actually got a little emotional. So good. 

We had a max pass for Cars later that night, so we decided to get another one for Indiana Jones and head to Disneyland. On our way out we hit up the Disney Photographer.

We took full advantage of the Max Pass Photos.

Most Favoritest Sign!!

Walls were up on main street as they redo the track. 

Love seeing the different transitions from land to land. This was in Frontier land looking out at tomorrow land 

The old petrified tree. 

Adam and I got bracelets with our anniversary on them.  

We went on Pirates and then still had few minutes before Indiana...

so we went on the Winnie the Pooh ride too. 

Secret walkway. 

After Indiana and Haunted Mansion, we stopped for lunch at Cafe' Orleans for a Monte Cristo Sandwich and a mint julep. 

On our way back to DCA. I always have to stop and look a the Emporium window displays. So cute. 

Cute door Photo Op!

Back to DCA for our Cars Land Max Pass and more photos.

We are adorable. 

Mater!

This was the only character I could get Gentry to stop long enough to get a picture with...I'll take what I can get. 

Having fun on Route 66!

Yay! We won

Heading back to Disneyland we saw Mickey, Minnie and Goofy on the Trolley. 

Time for corn dogs to re-boost our energy so we can last until midnight.

Castle at night

Backside of the castle from Fantasy land. 

Jumped on Peter Pan.  Just as we were getting to the front, the ride broke down. They had it up and going again in 15 minutes but it was pretty fascinating to watch them go through all the steps and protocol. We stayed in Fantasyland for little bit and rode Snow White, Mr. Roads, Alice in Wonderland and Matterhorn.

It's a small world had no wait so we jumped on and off of this one as well. Ran back over for Haunted and Indiana Jones again before calling it a night. We dragged our sore feet all the way back and collapsed in bed around 12:30. But we were up bright and early the next morning for round 2. 

DAY 2 - February 23rd. Started our day in Disneyland. With it being a Friday we expected it to be packed but for the first few hours it was dead. We jumped on Thunder Mountain, Pirates, Haunted and Indiana Jones. 

Seeing who can hold their hands up the entire time.

Empty early morning hours. 

Walked over to find the entrance to Star Wars Land

 Haunted 

Indiana Jones quickly became Gentry's, (I mean "Gantry's" favorite ride.) She said it was the first time she rode it with her eyes open the whole time. We spent a few hours at Disneyland and then headed back to DCA.

Spotted Sadie again!

Hit Soaring and then jumped on Little Mermaid again, that was our go to ride while waiting for fast passes, there was never a line. 

Went through bugs land to get to Guardians.

Had to make a quick stop and ride Heimlich

Saw Groot and

partied it up on Guardians again. 

Got max passes for Goofy's sky school and a Churro.

Went back to Animations Studio's 

One of my favorite spots in DCA is Beasts Library.

Quick Stop on our way back to Disneyland for more pics.

Went back to Disneyland and did Haunted and got on the railroad in New Orleans. We rode it all the way around and then to Toon Town.

Sadie and her group enjoying Cars Land. 

View of Stars Ward construction from the train. 

Love all the cute buildings!

Hit up Matterhorn again before getting on the Monorail to Down Town Disney.

We ate an early dinner at Rain Forest Cafe and then spent some time wandering in and out of shops.  After downtown we walked back to our hotel to grab coats for the night and ended up taking a quick nap. It was a nice break. 

Back to Disneyland for more photo ops and... 

some Buzz Lightyear.

Snow White Wishing well. 

That night we went to Fantasmic. Love this show...one of my favorites, if not my favorite. 

After Fantasmic we ran around like crazy hitting ride after ride until midnight.

Ran into Sadie and her friends again at Guardians. 

DAY 3 - February 24th. We just had a relaxing day hitting all of our favorites again.

Radiator Springs

Galaxy. (Peep the hand)

Haunted Mansion 

Partner's Statue

Saw Alice and the Mad Hatter on the way to Matterhorn. 

Three Musketeers. 

At 2:00 we left the parks to head to the Anaheim Convention Center for the competition. Being Nationals there were schools from all over. 

Time out Dance!! They nailed it. 

Time out Cheer. Had a couple minor mistakes but did really well. 

Fight Song. Their's was by far my favorite of all the schools. 

Time for awards.  I was feeling really good about their Time out Dance but they were up against 9 others schools,  fight song I felt like they could win that one only being up against 4 schools and Time out cheer wasn't sure where they made a couple mistakes.  Soooo excited when they announced Snow Canyon as first and National Champions in 2 of the 3 performances and 2nd in the other. We were beyond thrilled. 

National Champions photo...

confetti...

and celebration. 

We followed the team out to the foyer for more pics and handing out of the medals and trophies. 

SC Cheer

Our girl

Two 1st's and one 2nd place trophies. 

The Juniors

Gold Medalists!

Proud mama and papa

and sister. We were sooo glad we made the decision to go and support Sadie and the team. 

Besties: Kell, Sadie and Ally. While at the competition for 5 hours, I just sat and got max pass after max pass so by the time we got back to Disneyland around 7:00pm we had 6 max passes all lined up. 

Cars

Guardians and Soaring

More Little Mermaid before we ran (or hobbled) back over to Disneyland for Haunted, Thunder, Matterhorn and went on Pirates as our last ride.  We made it back to the hotel and ordered pizza. Gentry and I fell asleep while waiting for it to arrive. Woke up, ate and we all fell back into bed. 

DAY 4 - February 24th. We were finally able to sleep in a bit. Woke up, packed up and headed home. 

Views of Disneyland from our hotel. On the way home we received texts from the coaches that the exec. council was planning a little welcome home for the cheerleaders and meeting the bus at the school. We pulled into town 30 minutes before they did and were at the school to welcome them. 

 They had a good turn out and it was so fun to see them celebrated for all their hard work and win! What a FANTASTIC weekend. We had such a blast cheering on Sadie and playing at the "Happiest Place on Earth"

Congrats Sadie Jae!