5 nights in Anaheim. 400+ photos. Where do I begin? Well I could give a day-to-day play by play, but I think that would get pretty boring. So I think I'll share the highlights, memorable quotes, and our favorite parts of the trip.
flying
Our kids are great little travelers. They did so well on all our flights, hopping on shuttle buses (and keeping the other passengers very entertained), trucking through the airport, to the car rental, and through security. I made sure to fill their backpacks with a few activities to keep them occupied (sticker books, coloring books, a card game, and Sudoku for Kids for Conner - he loved it).
We had just gotten situated on the plan going to California. The kids are checking everything out, including the safety pamphlets in the seat back pocket. I notice that Conner is studying his rather intently. Then he points to this picture and says in a serious tone:
"That does not look like fun."
That's okay, Conner. We won't have to do that. "I hope not."
the story of the week
The last time we went to Disneyland Conner was 4 years old and he went on all the big kid thrill rides that he could and loved them. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was his favorite ride and he even did the Tower of Terror.
Payton is not so much of a thrill seeker. He likes to stay on the safe side of things. Which is okay with me -- I'm much the same way. But it was the rule going into this trip that he had to try all the rides one time. On Tuesday Scott took him on Space Mountain (he freaked out), Thunder Mountain (he freaked out), and I took him on Splash Mountain (he really freaked out). After Splash Mountain and getting to witness his distress first hand (on the other rides he was perfectly fine by the time they got off and met up with me), I felt really bad for him and decided that he had been brave enough and he didn't need to go on anymore "scary" rides. Really, this kid was amazing. Before each of these rides he would have a moment of internal panic, then we'd remind him to be brave just this one time, and he'd suck it up and do it.
Payton soon developed a set of three criteria for rides that he did not like. 1)They went really fast. 2)They go up and down. 3)They get you wet. Often, when we'd approach a new ride he would ask us if it did any of these things.
On Wednesday morning Scott and Conner went on The Tower of Terror by themselves.
Conner did just fine on the ride (he says he didn't scream). But when they got off he said matter-of-factly, "I don't want to go on that again."
Friday afternoon, we're taking the hotel shuttle bus to the park and Payton says "I want to go on the Tower of Terror." Scott and I immediately look at each other, absolutely stunned. Are you sure you want to go on that ride? "Ya! It will be so much fun!" We hop out of the bus and he's still going on and on about how much he wants to go on that ride and how brave he's going to be. We're starting to wonder if this is really our child! I asked him if he knew what happens on that ride, and then explained that it goes up and down really fast over and over again. He seemed perfectly fine with that. And so we made a b-line for California Adventure.
As we broke up into groups (me, Conner, & Anna to the Monsters Inc. ride for the 5th time and Scott & Payton to the tower) I stopped Scott and quietly said to him, "If you go on the ride be sure to buy a picture." I was so nervous, yet proud of the kid -- this was definitely a moment -- and surprisingly felt myself getting a little choked up. An hour later (lines were long on Friday) we sat on the curb outside the Tower and watched Scott and Payton come out, purchase a big wand of cotton candy, and walk over to us without a shred of anxiety on Payton's face.
He did it! I can't tell you how proud, proud, proud I was of this boy. Wow.
(I believe this photo is taken after the first drop, when they take you back up to the top. Scott tried to get him to turn around and look, but I guess he was a little perplexed by the crazy screaming people behind him.)
He says he didn't scream and he didn't cry. Scott said he did just great.
Next he wanted to go on Space Mountain & Thunder Mountain so we hopped over to Disneyland and hit Space Mountain once and Thunder Mountain three times.
Space Mountain
Conner's favorite ride was Space Mountain. I think he went on it 6 times. When we came in 2005 this ride was closed for the big remodel so it was fun to go on it this time.
disney princesses
One of the things I knew I wanted to do on this trip was get Anna a princess dress and have her wear it one day in the park to meet the Disney princesses. Wednesday night we picked up a Cinderella dress in Downtown Disney after dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. Anna also tried on 3 pairs of glass slippers in the process.
Thursday morning I got her dressed, did her hair, and she proceeded to twirl around the hotel room the rest of the morning. You could just tell that she felt so special. After a few minutes she came up to me and totally out of the blue said, "Thank you mommy." Can I just tell you that my heart melted right there on the spot? A total puddle of goo. Immediately Elder Ballard's quote ran through my head, "the joy of motherhood comes in moments." This was a big moment.
And how about this moment. The kids plopped down for scriptures and I could not resist snapping this photo with the billows of Anna's dress all about her.
So now all the Disney Princesses are gathered together at the Princess Fantasy Faire. No wandering around the park, hoping you'll run into a princess. You just wait in line and get some one on one time with 3 princesses (they rotate in and out). Fantastic idea. We were in line at 9:30am when the gates opened and although the line didn't look so long, I asked an attendant how long the wait was and she said . . . . 2 hours. Holy cow. I sat and contemplated. Do I really need to do this -- she's only 2. But we had the dress, and I think I would've regretted walking away. The boys were fine -- they were busy in Tomorrowland with Star Tours and the Jedi Training Academy and building their own light sabers. We stuck it out. Anna was surprisingly really, really good in line -- I think she was really excited to see the princesses. Start to finish: 1.5 hours. And it was so so so worth it.
Anna was absolutely adorable, sweet, gentle, and just angelic with each of the princesses.
I don't know what it was but she instantly warmed up to each of them in a big way. It was so touching to watch how soft-spoken she was with each of them. I wouldn't say she was shy. It's like they each brought out the dainty little princess in her and magnified it times 10.
And these princesses know what they are doing. Ariel greeted Anna and instantly took her hand and spun her around to create this scene. I love it! I felt like I was in a storybook.
And now a priceless photo series:
Doesn't she just look like she is in heaven?!
As we stepped away the Disney photographer said he got some really great shots. Really? "Yep. I think I got the picture of the day." It was definitely one precious moment.
build your own light-sabers
The finished, customized product. Scott got the purple light saber he'd been hoping for.
They also provide great entertainment while waiting for the shuttle.
magic morning
On Thursday we were able to get into the park an hour earlier with our Magic Morning pass. One hour, and smaller crowds equaled 8 rides for our family! Star Tours, Space Mountain, Astro Blasters (twice), Astro Orbiters, Snow White, Pinocchio, and Mr. Toad's wild ride.
pool breaks
On Wednesday and Thursday we only stayed in the park until 2pm and then headed back to the hotel for a pool break. The kids loved swimming and it was a great way to break up the days and refresh & re-energize.
disney hats
Each of the kids got to pick out a hat. I love how each of the hats fit their personalities so well.
beach
Friday morning we decided to go out on a little adventure and find ourselves a beach. We went to Newport Beach and staked a spot on the Corona Del Mar State Beach. It started out a little foggy (we were there pretty early), but soon the sun came out and it was a perfect day at the beach!
Dream Fast Pass
Coming through Cinderella's castle on Tuesday morning we were each awarded with a Dream Fast Pass. Basically, it was a fast pass for every big ride at Disneyland and California Adventure for that day. (Usually there are restrictions on the quantity and timing of fast passes that you can receive at individual rides). But we were just handed fast passes for everything! All a part of their "Year of a Million Dreams" giveaway. We felt pretty special walking around the park with those hanging around our necks. :)
Disneyland strollers
love 'em. love 'em. love 'em.
the map
We went through at least 10 maps during the week. The kids love maps and and I loved witnessing their planning sessions each morning when we'd enter the park (usually done while Scott picked up a stroller rental).
mormon disneyland
I swear, everyday, everywhere we went we spotted people wearing BYU or U of U shirts, hats, sweatshirts. Everywhere. Luckily Scott brought his BYU t-shirt and wore it one day so we didn't feel left out.
conclusion
We had a fantastic time. The whole vacation just worked out really really well. The kids were well-behaved (aside from Anna's occasional tantrums due to no naps and being 2), the weather was nice (70-84 degrees), the lines were pretty quick (except for Friday, but we were expecting that), and just lots of family togetherness. I say that any family vacation that has Conner listing all the things that Payton is really good at, or generates spontaneous "thank-you's" from your children, or ensures that the kids are zonked exactly 1 minute after hitting their pillows, or that produces a sight like this . . . . is a success.
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Later I'll post a few short videos and hope to put together a photo album with more fun photos, including lots of shots with Disney characters and some of the kids' favorite rides.
