We returned from Disneyland safe and sound. The drive was cake, and the kids were great. The following is a list of my favorite memories from our trip...
1. Favorite Sights:
Sitting outside on a bench in Disneyland, a nun in full habit.
An 80+ year old woman being pushed in her wheelchair by what appeared to be her grandson--she was wearing a Goofy hat, complete with a bill that made up Goofy's snout and two big black ears hanging down. She made the boy stop at every baby she passed so she could pinch cheeks and coo.
A cross-dressing man in a short black dress and pigtails. He was spotted again later in shorts and a t-shirt--perhaps Walt and Crew took offense?
1. Favorite Sights:
Sitting outside on a bench in Disneyland, a nun in full habit.
An 80+ year old woman being pushed in her wheelchair by what appeared to be her grandson--she was wearing a Goofy hat, complete with a bill that made up Goofy's snout and two big black ears hanging down. She made the boy stop at every baby she passed so she could pinch cheeks and coo.
A cross-dressing man in a short black dress and pigtails. He was spotted again later in shorts and a t-shirt--perhaps Walt and Crew took offense?
The fireworks show is amazing. They have Tinkerbell flying around (an actual person on a cable system) above the castle waving her wand to set off the show. Connor said, 'Tinkerbell can really fly?!' That made a believer out of adults too...
2. Favorite happenings:
When Sully (from Monsters Inc.) approached us, my cousin gave him a playful little jab to the side and then hugged him. The lady escorting Sully said, 'Oh, no! We don't punch Sully! He's a nice Monster!' in a tone that implied Kristina should have known better. Seriously. I'm pretty sure Kristina would have punched that lady if there hadn't been kids present.
The Indiana Jones ride was a blast, but Connor almost revolted when we tried to go on it again. He was crying and throwing a fit, until, grasping for straws, I said that the big boulder that rolls toward the jeep is plastic and there's nothing in it. His eyes opened wide and he said, "It's fake?" We got him to go on everything by simply explaining the mechanics behind it. Maybe we sucked some magic out of it, but you try to find a five year old who's ridden Space Mountain and The Tower of Terror three times each!
While boarding the Monsters Inc. ride (and no, Kristina didn't box anything on this ride), the ride operators noticed Madison was wearing a birthday hat. When our little cars got to the end of the ride, our cars stopped and an animatronic Monster sang 'Happy Birthday' to her. It was such a wonderful experience for Ms. Maddy.
We spotted Mickey on the California Adventure side of the park--he was in his safari gear. We happened to see him just as he came around the corner so we got behind a couple people and scored a great picture.
3. Comments on Traveling to Disneyland:
Unless you're someone who intends to take your kids their multiple times in their young lives, why you would take a child under the age of five is beyond me. I watched many an exhausted, bleary eyed parent struggle with toddlers and babies who didn't want to wait in line for the Dumbo ride they would never remember. Everyone has their own agenda, I guess.
Disneyland is great for keeping parties together, and every ride operator has their own lingo (i.e. at The Tower of Terror, it's 'Enjoy your stay' when you board the ride, at Space Mountain, it's 'Welcome back Space Explorers). Disneyland is not good for meeting the characters--watch the parade if you really have to see them, but if you want to actually meet most of the princesses, etc. you're talking half and hour plus waiting in line. No thanks.
Fast Pass it. You can get a Fast Pass that will give you a window of time to return to the ride, and when you return, you go to the front. Not every ride offers it, but most of the big ones do. Plot out your plan of attack to make sure you get to go on the rides you like best.
Get there early, and then take a break. We got there first thing both days, and then left around the hottest time of the day; we returned to our hotel room and took naps. It was the way to do it, I tell ya. Also, pay attention to the restrictions on your tickets--certain tickets allow an 'Early Admission' day, where you can get in an hour early (it's only offered on certain days of the week, so check that too!). We got there an hour early, and when we got up front, discovered the Two-Day Park Hopper ticket doesn't allow Early Admission. Big, big sad faces.
The prices and lines are not completely ridiculous. Prepare for the worst, and expect the best.
Lisa 'I heart Disneyland' Cillessen
2. Favorite happenings:
When Sully (from Monsters Inc.) approached us, my cousin gave him a playful little jab to the side and then hugged him. The lady escorting Sully said, 'Oh, no! We don't punch Sully! He's a nice Monster!' in a tone that implied Kristina should have known better. Seriously. I'm pretty sure Kristina would have punched that lady if there hadn't been kids present.
The Indiana Jones ride was a blast, but Connor almost revolted when we tried to go on it again. He was crying and throwing a fit, until, grasping for straws, I said that the big boulder that rolls toward the jeep is plastic and there's nothing in it. His eyes opened wide and he said, "It's fake?" We got him to go on everything by simply explaining the mechanics behind it. Maybe we sucked some magic out of it, but you try to find a five year old who's ridden Space Mountain and The Tower of Terror three times each!
While boarding the Monsters Inc. ride (and no, Kristina didn't box anything on this ride), the ride operators noticed Madison was wearing a birthday hat. When our little cars got to the end of the ride, our cars stopped and an animatronic Monster sang 'Happy Birthday' to her. It was such a wonderful experience for Ms. Maddy.
We spotted Mickey on the California Adventure side of the park--he was in his safari gear. We happened to see him just as he came around the corner so we got behind a couple people and scored a great picture.
3. Comments on Traveling to Disneyland:
Unless you're someone who intends to take your kids their multiple times in their young lives, why you would take a child under the age of five is beyond me. I watched many an exhausted, bleary eyed parent struggle with toddlers and babies who didn't want to wait in line for the Dumbo ride they would never remember. Everyone has their own agenda, I guess.
Disneyland is great for keeping parties together, and every ride operator has their own lingo (i.e. at The Tower of Terror, it's 'Enjoy your stay' when you board the ride, at Space Mountain, it's 'Welcome back Space Explorers). Disneyland is not good for meeting the characters--watch the parade if you really have to see them, but if you want to actually meet most of the princesses, etc. you're talking half and hour plus waiting in line. No thanks.
Fast Pass it. You can get a Fast Pass that will give you a window of time to return to the ride, and when you return, you go to the front. Not every ride offers it, but most of the big ones do. Plot out your plan of attack to make sure you get to go on the rides you like best.
Get there early, and then take a break. We got there first thing both days, and then left around the hottest time of the day; we returned to our hotel room and took naps. It was the way to do it, I tell ya. Also, pay attention to the restrictions on your tickets--certain tickets allow an 'Early Admission' day, where you can get in an hour early (it's only offered on certain days of the week, so check that too!). We got there an hour early, and when we got up front, discovered the Two-Day Park Hopper ticket doesn't allow Early Admission. Big, big sad faces.
The prices and lines are not completely ridiculous. Prepare for the worst, and expect the best.
Lisa 'I heart Disneyland' Cillessen
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