Thanksgiving Week at Disney - Part III

With two days of Disney parks behind us, Hansel looked into an inexpensive activity we could do in the morning and save Disney for the afternoon and evening. We planned to have the kids stay up to experience "the snow" and to see the fireworks at Disney.

Hansel found a place called Pretend City in Irvine --http://www.pretendcity.org/. It's a mini play city for kids that has amongst other things a grocery store, doctor's office, restaurant, beach, house, farm. When we are at home, Maile and Beck are inseparable. But when we take them to a museum or playground, they often go their own ways. Beck got into Pretend City right away -- going from one area to the next. Maile took a little while to warm up. We started in the arts and crafts room. But once she realized in order to get "paid" they needed to get stamps at different stations, she really got into it. She liked the "farm" area the best.

We had lunch at the Irvine Spectrum Center, a huge outdoor mall that even has a carousel. We ate at a place called The Veggie Grill -- http://www.veggiegrill.com/. It has a casual modern decor and an appetizing menu. We so wish there was one in the Bay Area.

After naptime we went to Disney. We stayed late enough for the kids to experience "the snow," foam they spray into the air, and see the fireworks. We watched the fireworks from the plaza area between Disneyland and California Adventure so we wouldn't get stuck in the mass exodus when the fireworks ended. The snow photo below was taken with my flashless phone (not bad, huh?).

The Castle at night
The Small World ride at night (taken with my phone)

We drove home Thanksgiving Day and had dinner at Panda Express.