Disneyland

The Most Magical Place

May 7th-12th

We made a special trip to Disneyland in May. We had been debating, and then for multiple reasons decided this was the best time to go. The week we went was supposed to be slow. We thought we would be walking on the rides. For the most part the wait was around 20 minutes, except for Toy story and fantasy land. So according to the locals, that was a slow and great week. Because of this, and the heat, we will NEVER go during the summer. Although we barely missed the opening of several rides.

Overall the trip was almost, maybe even, perfect. We left Saturday night and stayed with Liz in Las Vegas. Got up around 7 and left to avoid the crazy traffic leaves Las Vegas on Sundays. The drive was smooth and fast. We found a hotel off of priceline. Well, I did, using betterbidding.com. Shane was really bugged at first, because although the hotel was a 3 or 4 star, I forget, it was far away. But in the end this was an advantage. We were so far away our hotel had its own shuttle, rather than the Anaheim shuttle I have heard so many bad things about. The shuttle was reliable and nice. The hotel was really nice, which made it comfortable and relaxing. In fact the bed was so comfortable, I may be calling them soon to see which kind it was because I loved it so much.

We checked into the hotel after taking a trip to Target for food. We decided to make this trip as cheap as possible, which meant eating breakfast in the hotel, and taking lots of food into Disneyland. We ate out at night, but never in the park. It just turned out that way. We saved a lot of money this way. The first night we got Thai food at the hotel. The next night Shane and I got taco bell on the way to pick of the kids from the Nittas. And the third night we ate in Downtown Disney at the burrito place that the Hopkins introduced us to last time.

After going swimming on Sunday afternoon we thought we could go get some Disney souvenirs in downtown Disney. In the way there we had the genius idea of finding one of those discount stores outside of the park that sells the exact same stuff. About 1 1/2 hours later, we realized there were none. We expected there to be at least a couple, after seeing how many there are around disneyworld in Florida. But, it was a complete waste of time. We ended up going to downtown Disney. Brynn saved her money and I told her she could get one thing that we would help pay for. She bought a little dress up kit with Minnie Mouse. That was the best toy for her, and Austin. They LOVED it and spent a lot of time playing with it at the hotel, Nittas, drive home, and at home. All the many pieces are all over all the time, and soon I want to throw them out, but it was cute and very worth the money. I think I will do that every trip to Disney now, buy one thing the night before so they don't bug you the entire time for toys throughout the park. We also got the autograph book, which all the characters sign when you get your picture with them. We did that last year and it is really fun for the kids to look at over and over at home.

On the way out of downtown Disney we walked through the lobby of the Grand Californian hotel. That place is amazing. I don't think we realized just how awesome it was when we stayed there with friends. Staying there makes it that much more magical. So thanks again to our good friends that made that possible!

Monday we got up, packed all the food and headed out with the first shuttle. Its nice in a way to have the park open at 10 and close at 8 during our visit, its easier to get there on time. And easier to get to bed at a decent hour, instead of wanting to stay as long as possible.

So we actually made it before it opened. Here are pictures of the kids in the hotel with the Minnie mouse toys. Brynn slept with us and on the floor, and Austin was in the closet. The pack and play wouldn't fit in our usual spot, the bathroom, or the closet. So every night we pulled the sliding doors off the closet and put Austin's crib in the space. That way he couldn't see us around the corner for the most part and he wasn't wanting to party like he does if anyone is around him. It worked out well, and it helped that he was exhausted by the end of the days.

Since we got there on time we headed to a ride we had never been on, the Nemo submarine one. On the way we saw Buzz. Austin did not like it one bit and was crying. Brynn was nervous, but did great. Ever since we last came, December of 2009, we have been talking to her about the characters. She was pretty much deathly afraid of the characters with their heads covered up. She loved the princesses and ones without fake heads, but would cry and shake around the others. We explained they were only people dressed up, and they are pretend. When we were around different ones like chuckecheese at home, we would practice with her getting close. She has come a long, long way and did great. After Buzz she wasn't nervous anymore.

I remember Austin was shake so hard and get really scared and then start crying. With Buzz he cried, and with a couple others. He was still scared a bit, but much better than before. Shane took a picture of us looking out the submarine.

Austin was too small to ride the bugs life bumper cars, so we watched from the side. At first he was glad, but then he really wanted to join them.

Austin didn't like chip n'dale and pluto. But Brynn did. Pluto threw Brynn's book to chip off of his nose. They did quite the show for us.

We met Ariel. I thought you could only see her in her restaurant. I'm glad we didn't have to spend $100 to get her picture.

The weather was great. during the day it got a little hot while we walked all around, and at night it got just a little chilly. it felt great though. The first day Shane took Brynn on her first 'big' ride: soarin over California. She really liked it. Although she was tall enough, we didn't have her go on any of the other 'big' rides that we couldn't sit as a family on. She was terrified and had no desire. Luckily the 2nd day Dallin Nitta and his family babysat the kids for us so Shane and I could have a 'date' and go on all the big rides. Dallin and his friend met us at the parking lot around 3 or 4 and took them to his house for the night. It was so nice and fun. the kids had a fun time with the Nittas, and we appreciated it so much. It definitely made the trip complete to be able to go on all the big rides without having to swap the kids each time. We even scored really good spots for the World of Color show. I accidentally left our tickets in the car, so we risked it and went anyways. We told an attendant we had the blue tickets and we got awesome spots. The next day I looked at the tickets and realized they were actually yellow I think, so we got really great seats.

In the morning of the 2nd day we split up, Shane got tickets to world of color and I went to wait in line for Tangled (I think). But on the way I noticed a small crowd forming. I joined them and waited to see what was going on. Almost instantly and older employee took me to a spot that he recommended for better viewing. It was so nice of him and it really was a perfect spot. The Disneyland band came out in a few minutes, along with Mickey and other characters and I was right up front. The crowd grew really fast, so I was lucky to see it. This band made me want to cry honestly. It was the definition of the 'magic of disney'. The music, dancing, nice conductor. All in the morning of entering the park. I like the rides and other things Disney has to offer, but its these shows, music, and nice employees that make me LOVE Disney. The Hopkins got us hooked when we joined them in 2009. I would go back over and over it is so fun and magical, for us and the kids.

While I was waiting with Brynn to see pixie hollow and Tinkerbell Shane took Austin on rides. They came over while we were still waiting and Austin had fallen asleep with his bubble wand in his mouth. So cute. That was another thing I loved, the bubbles for Austin. I have never seen a kid love bubbles more. So I brought them on our trip, and thought of bringing them in the park for him. It turned out great, because Austin would sit and blow his bubbles all day and in line. It made him happier and more patient in the lines.

Another funny thing that day, at lunch Austin kept trying to feed the ducks that were walking around us. He followed them around and talked to them. He would leave little fish crackers and step back for them to eat. He made little trails of the crackers to follow him. And he would make little piles of the crackers. No exaggeration, he did this for about 40 minutes maybe, and this may have made him as happy as anything in Disneyland. He loved it! I am so glad I got some on video, it was so funny.

Our family together on Jungle cruise. This was Brynn's favorite ride last year, and this year it didn't disappoint.

We never went back to the hotel during the day. Austin would fall asleep whenever. One day we planned it and went to see Aladdin, and he fell asleep there. The kids did awesome, better than I expected. Or maybe that is just my memory now, 2 months later ;)

The pictures with me are while waiting for the crush show. You can see one of the Austin's grumpy faces that he has often. He glares and sticks out his lips together. I have had more people comment about his cute grumpy face, than his smiling face. He pulls those looks in a way I have never seen a kid do, and he does it often. He even now tells me 'GRUMPY', in a stern mad voice when he tells me he is in a bad mood. Hilarious.

Brynn got to ask Crush a question, but I forget now what it was. We LOVE that show, and the kids did too. Austin always calls turtles crush now, after saying its a turtle. We tried to see things that we missed last time, including the sourdough bread tour. The bread was good and it was nice to get out of the heat.

One of our favorite rides was the toy story arcade ride. Last time I didn't think it was that amazing, and I still don't. Its fun and entertaining, but people are obsessed, and the line is always so long. BUT, the first time we went on it, Austin was with me. I didn't even try to put his glasses on because I thought he wouldn't let me. He hates anything on his head, and in the past refuses to put those type of glasses on. He was in my lap to begin with, then within a short time squirmed his way to sitting next to me. I started playing, and the next thing time I look at Austin he is pulling the little cord to shoot over and over. I laughed because he knew exactly what to do and was really into it, even without the 3D glasses. I thought it was so cute and fun to do that with him, I told Shane after we have to do it again so that he can ride with Austin. We did it again the next day and Shane put his glasses on. Austin enjoyed them I think, and loved the game again. I thought it was one of the cutest sights seeing them together with their glasses on. That is one memory I will keep from this trip. Brynn loved Mr. Potato head. We kept the line back because she loved him so much. I love him too, I must say.

The last day Heather, Dallin, and Kim met up with us after a late lunch/early dinner. They have passes, so we saw them the first day as well. We went on Pirates of the Caribbean together, because I wanted to go one last time. I love the atmosphere of that ride. The kids get a little scared, but do great. Brynn really wanted to see Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Kim was so extremely nice and took her to wait in line for over an hour, maybe 1 1/2 hours! She got her cotton candy on the way. She is so awesome! Shane went with Heather and Dallin on a couple rides, while I took Austin on a few of the rides we missed in fantasy land, like the little train. I met Kim and Brynn at the end of the line and went in with them. While we were waiting Flynn came out and I got a picture of just him. I must say he is the most handsome character I've seen at Disneyland. The Nitta's had to go, so we went on the last few rides. Such as Dumbo, which the kids loved. They were being fun in the line too, even with it being long. I am impressed they did so well in all the lines, it was fun and made it much more pleasant.

The teacups of course. And Autopia. Brynn rode with me and Austin with Shane. That ride kids always love.

The final night we took the kids to World of Color. We didn't want to waste time saving good spots, so we went on more rides instead. We wanted to ride the train back, the one thing I really wanted to do because I knew the kids would like it. But we waited until the last minute, and we ended up running back to Disney California for the show. Good thing we brought 2 strollers, for more reasons that this. We got the very last spots for the show, and put the kids on our shoulders for them to see. I still can't get over how amazing that show is, some of the stuff I don't understand how they even did. The kids were too tired to fully enjoy it, but they liked it. I'm glad I was able to see it the night before with Shane and I with our great spots. Because this time I wanted the kids to see it all, plus I couldn't see great anyways.

Even with going for 3 days, we missed a few things. I wished it could have been so slow we could walk on the rides and go over an over. For the most part we went on all the rides once.

This trip was so fun and worth the time and money. It was perfect with only 2 kids, one to ride with each Shane and I. They were old enough to do really good, with only a few draw backs. I will always remember this trip and how fun it was. I hope the kids remember the feeling of pure joy and fun. When can we go again ;)

On the bus ride home both kids fell asleep. I can't explain in words, except maybe pure happiness and contentment to hold Austin in my arms and see Brynn completely wiped out from so much fun and laughter. This is also a moment I will remember. I am so happy we are able to take them and appreciate the fact that it is a blessing we can. I hope the future brings us lots of fun trips, because honestly those are my favorite moments, even with all the work to get there.