April 2026 Vacation Part 2

Aaannnddd, we’re back! Back in a few ways. Back to the story of our April vacation. Back to our next Disney adventure. Back to the Joy that God pours out on us through life’s experiences that build memories we can cherish for years to come! I enjoy writing about these experiences. I enjoy writing in general. So I’m grateful to have something to write about…LOL I don’t write about everything in my life. I hope to get better at that as this year continues. Especially now that I have a workflow that doesn’t get in my way as I write 🤣

Sunday morning began like most of our first mornings together for these trips do…Aryes breakfast 🤩 But, just before that, I woke up really early. I’m not sure if it was because my internal clock was still set to eastern time. Or if I just didn’t sleep well in the hotel that night. But I did wake up pretty early for me. I don’t remember what all I did to pass the time. But since breakfast wasn’t until 7am that day, we weren’t able to have breakfast earlier…LOL I love our breakfasts together. It’s Cherie’s favorite meal. Being able to enjoy that with her means the world to me. We took communion 🙏 And had our traditional apple juice 🤭

She was already dressed dapper at breakfast. I always appreciate that. She has the loveliest outfits for our Disney days. Being able to get a preview is always special for me. I don’t do that , myself, because I would most likely get food all over myself if I were to be dappered up at breakfast 🤣 She didn’t wear her hat, though. I had to wait for the reveal until we met up in the lobby later 😆

We went with Dapper Dodgers matching outfits this time. I was impressed with how well we looked. We received compliments all day. She was absolutely beautiful 🤩 She made me look good 😉 hehehe I really loved how I looked too. We met up in the lobby and headed for our Rex Mobile! And then we were off to our second Disney Dapper Day ever! Our first Spring one!

Security was smooth this time and we took the tram as the first official attraction of the day. I never do that at Walt Disney World. Having that as part of our Disneyland adventures is special 🥰 We arrived at the esplanade and took a left towards the gates of Disneyland! Per usual, I chose the slowest line in all the land 🙄 HAHAHA

One of our first stops was the firehouse where Cherie got to ring the bell! I had never been in there and was fascinated by it. We didn’t go into it, but I noticed Walt’s apartment for the first time. It’s just above the firehouse. It takes a tour to see it. Maybe someday!

After that, we took the Omnibus from the main area near the train station and arrived at the castle. That was my first time ever riding the Omnibus 🤩 They recently brought that back to Walt Disney World. But I hadn’t done it yet. There’s something special about that ride as you pass by all of the people on Main Street. Also, since it was Dapper Day, several people noticed us and waved 🤭

When we arrived at the castle, I noticed a PhotoPass photographer who wasn’t busy and I asked to have our photos taken. I really enjoy doing that and our photos always turn out so well 🤩 Since we always do matching outfits, and we both tend to take good photos together, I’m so glad we do that 🥰

After the photoshoot, we made our way to and through the castle. I hadn’t ever done that before. I knew there was something in the castle. But I hadn’t a clue what it was. I was expecting just something simple. As it turns out, they tell the story of “Sleeping Beauty” through various scenes as you walk through the castle. It’s amazing 🤩 Why they don’t have anything like that at Walt Disney World puzzles me…LOL

After the castle, we made our way to New Orleans Square where we attempted to take a selfie video. We did the video…with a bit of a crowd…LOL We got some things from it. But that might not be a place we try again. We may need to find a better spot with less traffic. Someone offered to take our picture. I declined because we do this selfie video as a tradition. And it’s meaningful. I appreciated the offer, of course. I love how the photos turned out still!

With Pirates being right there, we checked the wait time and decided to ride it. That one has become a tradition for us…hehehe I think we’ll always ride it. Cherie’s dress got a little wet this time…LOL We were on the front row 🤩

Her dress getting wet worked out because our next attraction was Tiana’s…LOL The day wasn’t too cold and the sun was blazing. So we knew that it wouldn’t take long for us to dry off. With the short wait time, it made perfect sense for us to ride it that day 🤩 I think it is identical to the one at Walt Disney World 🤔 I really enjoy that ride and I’m glad we were able to do it together.

Next was another first for me. We did the canoes! They don’t have that in Florida…LOL Alligators are a problem here…hehehe The view from a canoe is so much better on Rivers of America. And the shared experience with so many strangers was fun 🤩 I think this one will become another tradition for us 🤩

As we continued to dry off, we took a walk through a galaxy far, far away…hehehe Galaxy’s Edge is always a fun site to see. It really does feel like another planet. Batuu, to be precise…LOL I cherish the photos Cherie gave to me from her first visit to Galaxy’s Edge 2 years ago. When we walk through that area, my heart feels something special and is very happy 🥰

We next made our way over to Fantasy Land and enjoyed Casey Jr, Storybook Land, and Small World. This was my first time on Casey Jr. I didn’t realize what it was the times I had gone to Disneyland before. I very much enjoyed that! Anytime we go by it, I hope we ride it. If there is a short line, of course…hehehe Storybook Land was fun. But I think it was better the time I rode it at night. We may need to try it at night again sometime.

Small World is always special to me. The one in Walt Disney World is Grandma’s favorite. Grandma has never ridden the one at Disneyland, though. When Cherie and I get to do it together, I get that special feeling in my heart that makes me happy 🥰

Once we were off of Small World, it was about time for our mid-day break. As we were making our way out of Disneyland, we stopped and listened to the Dapper Dan’s and looked at several people in their dapper attire. That was nice! It was a bit hot with the sun at that moment. So we didn’t stay there long.

Before we left the resort, we made our way over to the Dapper Day Boutique at Grand Californian. It was quite lovely. It was as small as the very first one I went to in 2024. We got our buttons and pins! We also took a walk through the Grand Californian lobby. They had a lovely Winnie the Pooh display.

After that, we made our way back to the tram, and then to our car. The first half of our Dapper Disney Day was complete! I’m glad we take these breaks. It’s great to go back to the hotel and relax before we continue the adventure. I’ve learned the importance of rest. And since I hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep the night before, it was good to have that rest! It really helped me for the next half of the day; which I’ll save for the next part…LOL Sooooooo, stay tuned!!!