Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of being invited to the VIP Premiere of Disney California Adventure’s “World of Color”. I had been anticipating the opening of this for over a year.  Since we are Season Passholders, I’ve seen it being built along the way.  It was amazing to see it go from start to finish.

Before the show came on, we were able to attend the “blue” carpet entrance inside Disney California Adventure. I had no idea on what to expect.  I joined the group of bloggers and media along the carpet awaiting the entrances.

It was awesome to see all of the celebrities who came out for this event.  I only pictured a few as I did not get too many clear pictures as they were walking really fast.  I didn’t think that you wanted to see pictures of the back of their heads. Teri Hatcher was quite awesome though. She came over and spoke with us for a few minutes.  We all complimented her on her dress. She said that her daughter picked it out.  But really, the biggest celebrities that I saw that night were the other bloggers. These women are my world.  I love hanging with other bloggers and talking “shop”.

After the blue carpet premiere, we got settled in the waiting area for the show to begin.  Of course, it started getting a little windy and I realized that my backpack with my jacket was in a locker at the front of the park.  I went with an attendant to the front of Disney California Adventure and headed for the lockers.  I learned that they clean out the lockers when the park closes.  I was able to retrieve my backpack from the Lost and Found.  After getting my backpack, I hurried back to the staging area for World of Color.

It got dark pretty quick and I was able to secure a spot to stand on the far left of the World of Color staging area.  I would have to say that standing in dead center would be the best view.  I had an obstructed view because of light poles and other very tall metal objects. I was also on the upper level so I did not get wet at all.  I’ve been told that if you are standing on the lower levels, you could possibly get wet.

The show started off with a bang, literally. Because we were there for the premiere, they had fireworks.  I’m a huge fan of Disney fireworks because they are always beautiful.  There was music synchronized to the entire show.  It was quite amazing.  I highly recommend this show.  Although, I think it is going to be very popular this summer.  I will explain below on how to get a spot for the show.

I took my Flip video camera with me.  I stood there and filmed the show while it went on.  I will advise you that I’m not the greatest videographer.  I have really bad hand shake and well, my hand got tired.  But I did capture three videos of the show.  I’m going to post the links to my videos, so if you want to click over, you can.

Angry Julie Monday: World of Color Premiere Video Part 1 of 3

Angry Julie Monday: World of Color Premiere Video Part 2 of 3

Angry Julie Monday: World of Color Premiere Video Part 3 of 3

Now for all of the details for World of Color.  I’m going to try and be a bit informative now. I have a page of information about The World of Color so I’m going to lay out the nitty gritty for you (all from Disney of course):

*“World of Color” will be presented twice nightly throughout the Disneyland Resort “Summer Nightastic!” season, June 11 through August 29, 2010.  Guests will stand during the 25-minute shows, which are at 9pm and 10:15pm.  You may bring strollers into the viewing area.

*The FASTPASS for “World of Color” will be available each morning at the Grizzly River Run FASTPASS terminals.  Guests can insert their park tickets into the terminal to obtain a FASTPASS ticket for the show, and they will be assigned a specific show time.  As with other FASTPASS attractions, a limited number of passes are available for “World of Color”. When all of the day’s “World of Color” FASTPASS allotment has been distributed, Grizzly River Run terminals will convert back to distributing the Grizzly River Run FASTPASS tickets.

*Guests arriving before park opening to line up for the “World of Color” FASTPASS may enter the Esplanade at 7am and gather at the Main Entrance to Disney California Adventure.  When Disney California Adventure opens to the public, guests lined up for FASTPASS will be walked into the park and over to the FASTPASS terminals.

*”World of Color” Picnic Meals, which are available online or by walk-up purchase. Beginning June 11, guests can go online and order a special boxed picnic meal that includes “World of Color” RESERVED VIEWING. Picnic meals may be ordered online at www.disneyland.com, or by walk-up purchase, subject to availability, at the Sonoma Terrace, Golden Vine Winery. You cannot order them by phone.

*Picnic meals may be picked up at the Sonoma Terrace from 2pm to 8pm.  Reserved viewing tickets will indicate return time, location, and show time.  Subject to availability, picnic meals ordered online include reserved viewing to the evening’s first show, and those making walk-up purchases will include reserved viewing to that evening’s second show.

*Picnic meal options include four selections for adults: The All American (cold honey-stung fried chicken), The Taste of Asia (chilled miso-glazed salmon), The European Antipasto (cured meats, regional cheeses, artichoke heart, sun-dried tomato) and The Mediterranean Vegetarian (marinated grilled vegetables in a whole wheat wrap with roasted garlic hummus).  Kid’s option include: The Junior All American (chicken), The Lunchbox Classic (peanut butter and jelly), and The Little Squirt’s Box (apple wedges, string cheese).  All picnic meals with “World of Color” RESERVED VIEWING are priced at $14.99 and must be redeemed for the designated reserved show date and time.  No refunds, exchanges, or other discounts.

*Prix fixe meals are available at both Ariel’s Grotto and the newly redesign Wine Country Trattoria restaurants, and they come with “World of Color” Preferred Viewing.  Guests may ordered from a varied menu of seafood, meat and vegetarian options at Ariel’s Grotto (current price: $36.99 for adults; $20.00 for children ages 3-9) or a selection of Italian cuisine at Wine Country Trattoria (current price: $39.99 for adults $18.99 for children ages 3-9).  Restaurant seatings are at specified times and space is limited. Prix Fixe meals must be reserved, at (714) 781-DINE.

*Guests who do not obtain a FASTPASS or reserve dinner packages for “World of Color” may  watch the show from viewing locations around Paradise Bay.

I have a ton of more information to share with you about Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.  They have the new “Summer Nightastic!” party throughout the summer.  I will share all of that information in another post at the beginning of next week!

Disclosure: I was invited to this event by The Disneyland Resort.  I was given free entry to Disney California Adventure. I’m a huge fan of Disney and we go there all the time.  I may have gone to Disneyland approximately four times in the past week. I don’t think they needed to nudge me to post about this fabulousness at all!

On Mother’s Day, we headed to Disneyland with some family friends. We decided that we didn’t want to spend a ton of money on an expensive brunch where we would stuff ourselves anyway, and feel bad after.  Angry Kid was very excited to see his friends, Jacob and Madison.

We arrived to see a busy parking structure.  I can always judge by the parking structure, to see how busy Disneyland is going to be.  Angry Kid almost wanted to jump out of his carseat, because he was so excited.  I had to tell him to simmer down.  We promptly parked our car. As I got out of the car, I whipped out my iPhone.  I always get so confused in the Disney parking structure.  A few weeks ago, I decided to take a picture of the area where we parked our car.  They are numbered and have pictures of Disney characters.  On Mother’s Day, we were in the Goofy Level.

My mom and I pulled out the stroller.  Yes, he is almost five and still rides in the stroller.  My kid is lazy, he gets tired, and I really don’t like carrying around forty-five pounds of kid.  It is not fun. Angry Kid knew that he was hanging out with the “big kids” and was embarrassed about the stroller. He started freaking out about the stroller and did not want us to take it. I took it anyway, because I didn’t want to NOT have it.

We found our friends and went on our happy way.  Disneyland was crowded, but I’ve seen it worse. We actually got on a ton of rides in a very short amount of time. Angry Kid refused to sit in the stroller (he NEVER sat in it the entire time), and he was very cooperative. This was a change of pace compared to our last trip to Disneyland.  We even got my mom and all of the rides. She usually wimps out and tells me that she will “wait for us”, at the end.

Everyone wanted to go on the Matterhorn, which is one of the “bigger” rides at Disneyland.  My mom told me that she hadn’t been on it, for a very long time.  Angry Kid loves this ride, and so we agreed to all jump in line.  Isn’t the Matterhorn Mountain awesome?

Jacob was sitting on the edge of the poles in the line for the ride.  Guess who had to also be a big kid and set up there? Yep, Angry Kid, and he had to make an angry face for us too.

I was cracking up at my mom when we got off the ride.  She hadn’t had that much movement in a long time.  We rocked and swayed the entire time. The ride is quite jumpy.  Angry Kid had a great time, though.

We headed towards the train at the front of the park. Angry Kid wanted to ride around a bit. It was the perfect time. We would get a little sitting break, and Angry Kid loves the train.  There are tons of rides, but Angry Kid would just prefer to sit on the train and circle around Disneyland.

Jacob, my friend’s son, whom is eleven, cracked me up though.  While we were waiting in line for the train, he asked me, “how do you do it?” I said what.  He said that “Angry Kid is crazy”.  My usual response, which is me completely joking was, “Oh, I take drugs”.  Jacob came back at me with, “oh, so do you take happy pills?” I laughed. Seriously, what is world coming to, than an eleven year old knows about “happy pills”.

I think it’s funny though, because Jacob has always been a wild child too. He doesn’t remember when he was five.  I’ve known him since he was born.  He has never been that quite shy kid.  Believe me, neither is his mother.  I love my friend, Lisa, but she is just like me.

At the end of the day, I was able to get a somewhat decent picture of all three kids together.  Although Jacob wouldn’t release his death grip on the ice cream, nor Madison, who wouldn’t give up the sugar sand.  Angry Kid promptly ditched his $5 ice cream that I had just bought.

I was laughing at Madison and all of that sugar.  It was almost like drugs to her the way she was snorting it in.  Of course, Angry Kid had to get in on the sugar action.  He wanted to show off his tongue after ingesting the sugary goodness.

We headed out of the park around 5pm, which was actually a long day for us. My friend, Kelly and I reflected about our own childhood with the kids.  We used to get to Disneyland at opening, and stay to closing.  By having season passes, we can just pop in for a few hours, and leave when we want.

Also, the grandmothers conversed, and decided to do this again. Yippee, Angry Nana will be taking Angry Kid on some adventures in the future, while I’m at work.

I took this photo on a random trip to Disneyland with my mom and Angry Kid.  He was being good that afternoon, so he was rewarded with a scrumptious churro.  If you look close enough, you can see the sugar all over his mouth. This is a common pose for Angry Kid.  As soon as I bring out my camera, he always gets “right up in it”.  I should know better, as his favorite song is “Paparazzi” by Lady Ga Ga.

I am entering this photograph in the “i heart faces weekly challenge”. The theme this week is: focusing on angles. I always try and get a great angle and/or original perspective when I take my photos. Plus, Angry Kid is really fast and somewhat hard to catch.

I can’t wait to check out all the other fabulous photos that have been entered!