Day 5 | August 17th

Today was our first day at the happiest place on earth.....Disneyland. We got to Downtown Disney just after 10am and wow was it hot.....Universal Studios was nothing on the oppressing heat of Anaheim. I heard someone say later in the day that it was 101F and that so wouldn't surprise me.

After getting our CityPass 3 day Disney tickets which include one Magic Morning were we can get into the park 1 hour before it opens to the general public and includes entry to Sea World in San Diego, we headed to Fantasyland.

On the way Ashleigh had her photo taken with the Queen of Hearts and we saw various other Disney characters. We also saw the Disney Princesses, which Ashleigh wanted to have a photo with but the waiting time was 60 minutes and it was far too hot for that according to Ashleigh.

We went on Snow White's Scary Adventure, King Arthurs Carrousel, Storybook Land Canal Boats and Mad Tea Party. Ashleigh's favourite was the tea cups, which she went on with Scott while I took photos and Scott got their tea cup spinning the fastest of all. Ashleigh loved it.

After that we headed to Mickey's Toontown where we stopped to catch our breath, have a drink and something to eat. We then headed to Minnie's House where Ashleigh got Minnie's autograph and had her photo taken. We then wandered through Minnie's house on our way to Mickey's house to meet Mickey. Ashleigh also got Mickey's autograph and had her photo taken. I think these were the highlights of her day.

By now it was just after 2pm and we were all suffering with the heat but we wanted to stay until the Mickey Soundtastic Parade at 4pm so we headed to Frontierland to take a ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat.

We had a little longer to wait for the Parade so rested again in the shade and then headed to the Main Street shops to enjoy some air conditioning to cool down. Ashleigh and I got a Christmas decoration as a reminder of our trip and Ashleigh got herself a Minnie necklace.

We then got a great spot curbside for the parade but it was directly in the sun and so, so hot waiting, then the parade was running late for some reason. I hung in there but Scott and Ashleigh couldn't stand the heat so found a spot in the shade.

The wait was worth it....the floats were amazing and the costumes were incredibly detailed and beautiful.

As soon as the parade was finished we headed back to the hotel for a swim as we were all suffering from the heat. We only stopped for a pretzel which I have been hanging out for since we arrived.

A cold drink and swim in the pool was just what was needed by all of us after a long hot day at Disneyland. Ashleigh had a very long swim and we headed out for dinner a little late. By the time we got to Bubba Gumps Ashleigh was not in a good way.....the heat of the day which had totally sapped her energy and little food because it was too hot to eat and she was so, so tired. She had a headache and sore stomach but as I explained to her she needed to eat something and drink more water and I was sure she would feel better. I was right, by the time was left she was feeling much better and talking up a storm again.

We got to see the fireworks again on the walk back to the hotel and despite our efforts it was another late night, which I finished with two big loads of laundry.

It is very difficult to get early nights at Disneyland as we want to go to the World of Colour show one night at Disney California Adventure, which is at 8.45pm and the fireworks show another night at Disneyland, which is at 9.30pm. So, our late mornings and late nights seem to be working at the moment but I hope we get to do a little catching up in San Diego.

Another amazing but unbearably hot day!!!