On May 10th we embarked on the long awaited journey to Disneyland. The kids had been working hard doing chores and saving money for this trip for a long time. When the day finally arrived they were beside themselves with excitement.
We drove down on Tuesday and spent the night with Grandma Lila (my grandma). It was great to see her and visit with her. I always love going to Grandma's house.
Early the next morning we headed down to Disneyland where we would spend 4 crazy days of nonstop Disney fun. For some stupid reason Junior and I imagined this nice relaxing trip where we would sleep in, go to Disney for a while, come home nap, swim in the pool, then head back to Disney for a little longer. WRONG!!! The kids couldn't get enough of that place. We were there from early morning til late night everyday.
Surprisingly there were no real meltdowns or fights for the entire 4 days we were there. The only two meltdowns we had were at the end of the 4th day. By that point Brayden was so tired he just couldn't reason with himself or anybody else. He REALLY wanted to go on Haunted Mansion a 2nd time but the walk throught he mansion to get to the ride scared him and he wanted to be able to skip that part and go straight on to the ride. He really had a hard time coming to grips with it but eventually did and kind of laughed at himself for the whole thing. The 2nd one came at the very end of the 4th day as we were getting ready to leave. All three of them were bawling saying they didn't want to leave Disneyland. you would think 4 days would be enough but apparently not.
The overall trip was an absolute blast. My mom had been visiting in Utah and drove down with us and my dad met up with us there. We hit EVERY ride you could some of them 2 or 3 times. The first two days there were NO lines! Literally the longest we waited for anything was 5 minutes. The 2nd two days was right after graduation so it was pretty choatic. However, we had tried to go see World of Color and after waiting 2 hours the show was canceled due to technical difficulties. We were given a bunch of fastpasses as compensation. So while the rides were 1-2 hour long waits we would just walk through the exits and hop right on. It was great!
As Brayden exclaimed while riding on PeterPan and "flying" over Neverland, "its like all my dreams have come true here!" We truly loved and the kids are already asking when we get to go back.
We had an insane amount of pictures so I only put up 1/4 of them. They aren't in exact order, but at least divided by days
Kalei is NOT a roadtripper. Half the trip was spent with her face buried in her hands and sobbing, the other half would be when she resigned and looked like this:
Having some fun with bubbles during a pitstop
The benefits of being a boy, you don't have to wait until a reststop. Gotta have some embarrassing pictures for the future
Our hotel room was great, very clean and comfortable beds, and the best part it was right across the street from Disneyland. Tavita discovered the only downfall of the room. As he went running in to go to the bathroom when we first got there, flipped up the toilet seat and it came off right in his hands. He was pretty bewildered by the whole thing.
The kids beyond excited to go! There is no way to describe their reaction when we first pulled up and they saw Disneyland.
As we walked in, one of the first characters we saw was Goofy. Tavita was so excited because it's his favorite Disney character.
Kalei with her first of many princesses.
Going for a spin on the teacups. This was one of the favorite rides and we went more than once. Kalei was hilarious because she would start out so excited and loving it. Then about halfway through she would get so dizzy she'd just fall into the lap of whoever was sitting next to her.
Going for an expedition on the Jungle Cruise. Another favorite, we did it three times. The boys were so funny, they swear a crocodile almost bit their hand off, they'd hit the deck at certain parts, jump to the middle of the boat at others, truly terrified something was going to happen but they loved it.
Tarzans treehouse. Always a good place to let them run for a bit
Kalei LOVED the rides where you just road/float along and looked at all that was going on around you (It's a Smallworld, Storybook boat rides, Winnie the Pooh etc)
The Disney Railroad is something new I haven't seen before. Think it replaced the Monorail and it takes you around the park. Meant to just take you from one point to another but the kids wanted to keep riding it over and over because they thought it was a ride in itself. At one point you go through a tunnel where it seems like your in the Grand Canyon then in prehistoric times.
What's a trip to Disney without MICKEY!
Putting the kids to bed was NEVER a fight the whole time they were there. They were almost anxious to climb into bed each night
Jr's dad and brother are staying here with us now (Rodney on a permanent basis) and had flown into California to drive back to Utah with us. The kids were so excited to see Uncle Rodney after 2 years.
Fun at the Splashpad in Bugs Land
Playing at the High Sierra Adventure area. The kids LOVED being way high in the air climbing across nets. No fear of heights here!
One of Brayden's favorites was the Griazley River Run. The other two were to short to go on but Brayden was hillarious throughout the entire ride.
The boys with Sully
Can you find Brayden the Bug?
All the bugs ready for "It's tough to be a bug"
Kalei was very excited to see "Donyduk". She never wanted pictures with any of the characters, she couldn't stop hugging them.
Pirates of the Carribean topped the favorite list by both the boys (and Kalei too I think) They loved it and wanted to ride it over and over. Good thing there were no lines. After the ride they decided they wanted pirate swords as their souvenirs. We walked out of the shop and there was a band of pirates playing some music. The boys decided pirates don't play music, they battle. An intense squashbuckling fight ensued. Brayden proudly proclaimed he cut the pirates leg off (but was quick to assure us not to worry because it was just pretend)
Tavita trying his hand at swordplay
"BawkBawk" and Lei Lei. Yes, its pronounces as if trying to imitate a chicken, not quite sure how she came up with this name for her Grandpa as she can say Papa quite clearly. (my parents are Grandma and Grandpa and Jr's are Nana and Papa). Nonetheless, she absolutely adores her BawkBawk.
On the AstroBlasters
My cousin Caroline lives close by Disneyland and brought her beautiful children to come swim/watch fireworks with us one night. It was so good to see her again.
All the cousins hanging out on the bed with tummies full of pizza and visions of fireworks dancing in their heads.
The fireworks we watched from our rooftop pool. By far the highlight of the hotel in our boys books.
FREEEEEZZZZING!!! but loving it!
Kalei saw this "Rella" display and was in complete love. She couldn't stop gaping at it.
WATCH OUT!!! Run away car!
Gotta hit the classic Dumbo ride!
The boys perched on the treasure they found on Tom Sawyer island
The boys were downright giddy about being able to sail on a real pirate ship.
While the boys were off doing their manly business playing pirates, Kalei was in heaven surrounded by princesses. They keep all the princesses (except Jasmine) at the Princess Fantasy Faire and it's always and hour+ wait to go in and see them. My mom totally made Kalei's trip by waiting in line for her so she could go in and see the princesses. We kept crossing out fingers that Cinderella would be out (they only have three out at a time). We first saw Princess Tiana then Ariel. At last we came across Cinderella and Kalei was at a loss for words. She stood there in awe and whispered "RElla!" I total her to go give her a hug and she took of. She loved EVERY minute sitting there talking to her. Well Cinderella talked to her and she just stared back. Thanks again mom for doing that!
Brayden swears he got it to move just a little.
My 3 musicians
For some reason Tavita was so excited when he saw this car. He ran to it, jumped in and couldn't stop smiling the whole time he was "driving" it.
The captian and his first mate sailing Donald Ducks ship
Toontown!!! The favorite of all the "lands"
Hanging out with all the citizens of Toontown during Morning Madness
Kalei with Minnie! She's head mouse in her book. Who needs Mickey?
Our last day there was the only cloudy/cool day we had. Very nice for standing in lines/walking about an amusment park. However, the kind of day where you skip over water rides. Brayden BEGGED and BEGGED to do Grizzly River Run one last time. Since we didn't get too wet the 1st time, Junior and I agreed to take him. MISTAKE!!! Junior and Brayden got the usual sprinkling but I was seated in the wrong spot and got SOAKED! Literally from head to toe. My shoes sloshed for the entire rest of the day. Brayden loved it just as much the 2nd time as the 1st though!
Midway Madness. The only LONG line we had to endure (other then the Fantasy Faire). Actually Junior endured it while I took the kids to watch Alladin. An incredible show that I was pleasantly surprised by. Made me sad Junior missed it. But am very grateful that the kids having a good time is so important to him.
Kalei with Minnie as she's about to go flying.
The crazies in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle. Two new things I learned about this place that I never knew on all my other trips to Disneyland. #1 It is Sleeping Beauty's castle, didn't know it belonged to a particular princess, and #2 you can actually walk through the castle as it tells the Sleeping Beauty story.
The kids had been begging for these giant lollipops the whole time we were there. The last day we finally succumed and endured the mess. I was amazed at how long the actually sucked on these babies. It kept the occupied for most of the day.
Our little sugar queen was the most excited about them.
They were so hoping to be the next king of England
Junior had been eyeing the turkey legs the whole trip and we got one while waiting for Fantasmic to start. Think Tavita might have eaten more then Junior!
Overal WONDERFUL trip where many memories were made!
