I’ve been looking forward to this trip for so long. I ordered the Disney planning DVD, I YouTube’d videos, and got the kids revved up day after day. All this and you might think it was our first time as a family to venture to what is known round these parts to be the happiest place on Earth. Well, it was our third trip to Disneyland as a family of five, and still just as magical as the first.
The weather was one thing that was less than stellar. It rained almost two out of our three days in the park. And this was no ordinary drizzle, come-and-go shower either. No, it full-on poured! So much so that our jeans were soaked clear up to our thighs and we had to go back to the hotel to dry our clothes mid-way through the day. I hardly got any photos of those first days (IMO), and whatever ones I did happen to get were grab-n-go, filled with flash, and with hair plastered to our heads from the rain. That said, just trust me when I say that it was fun anyway.
The first day, we hit mostly indoor rides and ventured outdoors when there was a break in the weather.
No matter how many times they’ve been on it, the carousel remains a favorite.
Jake loved to get the kids spooked on the rides. He had them convinced that Pinocchio was among the scariest rides in the park, because of his sound effects and sudden movements. Haunted Space Mountain, on the other hand, was not considered scary by either of my twins. I covered Ari’s eyes the whole time we were on it, and the next day, she requested a different riding partner.
This is how it was pretty much all of Day 2. The kids had never actually been in the rain before... Arizona babies, you know. It made for some interesting reactions. Despite the natural delay that comes from tying and retying oversized ponchos, kids walking at a snail’s pace because they had soggy shoes and socks, watching the kids run into people with the umbrellas when they were holding them, and listening to them whine when they weren’t; we actually rode every ride (except Splash Mountain) that was open in Disneyland and most of the highlight rides in California Adventure. The handicapped pass was and always is our saving grace, and our Disney Mobile Magic app was pretty helpful too.
We had made reservations for the Princess Character breakfast. It was a good excuse to be indoors and yet still be immersed in the magic of Disney.
I actually blow dried both girls’ hair for this event and it looked fabulous right before we left the hotel. It was bouncy and shiny and perfect. Imagine it.
Gabe had a major crush on Princess Ariel. He could not stop grinning and bashfully wringing his hands whenever she addressed him. Adorable! Bella launched right into her princess love, while Ari took five minutes to warm up to the idea of meeting the princesses.
I wasn’t sure how Ari was going to do, because she still has her social anxiety around new faces (especially female faces), but she recognized all the princesses we met, and she had a wonderful time. Masked characters are still another story, but she has made real progress. I am so proud of her! Ari showed each princess she met her shirt and pointed out the face of that princess. I normally don’t dress my kids with character outfits, but I’m so glad that I did, because it was a perfect conversation starter for her.
((Hugs)).
I love these new bashful, big girl smiles that Ari gives. It has been said that she has a smile that can light up the room, brighten anyone’s day, or even launch a thousand ships. These days, she’s hiding it behind her shy smiles, I guess because she’s growing up, and she wants to play it cool. It melts my heart anyway.
At the meet and greet, they each claimed a favorite princess. For Gabe, it was Ariel. Ari bonded with Belle. And Bella clung to Cinderella, which was no surprise :).
Their looks of anticipation.
On the Jungle Cruise, Gabe got to co-captain the ship and steer us out of a waterfall.
He saved the boat from certain ruin and got a well-deserved high five from our guide.
We stayed up late every night to make the most of the time, and squeeze in every memory that we could.
Bella loved on every character we met. She really can be such a tender and sweet. Especially if you’re an oversized stuffed animal.
Our first night, we went to see World of Color, which was beautiful and everything Disney promises it will be.
We finished off our second night on the Small World ride before we went to Buca di Beppo with some friends.
Some of my favorite moments from Days 1 & 2 have to be going on some of the more “thrilling” rides with Ari and Gabe (Bella wasn’t tall enough this year, much to her relief), like Star Tours, Soarin’, and Space Mountain. We all ate beignets and whatever else we felt like indulging in. We went to several really cool indoor attractions and shows that we probably would’ve skipped had it been a sunny day, like Turtle Talk with Crush, the Sorcerer’s Workshop, and Disney Jr. Live. And the Princess Breakfast was one of those experiences that, while I can’t say was priceless… $130 later, created priceless memories for my kids and brought the magic to life for them… and for me too.
Day 3 was everyone’s favorite day. I will post on it soon :).
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