Disney Recap

We are home from our BLISSFUL trip to Disneyland. We had a wonderful trip and it exceeded all of our expectations. The burning question is how Addie did. She was a total dream baby on this trip. We were at the park from open to close on all three days and she was a total trooper. She slept in the stroller or strapped in the Moby wrap and just did awesome. I really thought I would be stuck in the hotel with her for a lot of the time.

I took about 275 pictures on the trip so I will narrow it down to just a few along with our trip recap. I must say that it was totally magical to be at Disney as an adult and just enjoy watching our kids experience it for the first time. We also lucked out because Makenna was exactly the right height to go on most of the big rides. It was perfect and we got to ride almost everything in both parks. Carter proved to be a big old daredevil and rode everything and LOVED every minute of the scary/intense rides. Makenna did everything that Carter did but would not go back for a second ride if she got too scared. I was proud of both kids for being willing to try everything.

Another thing I did not anticipate is how much they LOVED meeting the characters. My kids are really really big Pixar movie fans so they weren't too familiar with some of the characters from the older Disney movies (we met Alice and my kids had no clue who she was or why they should care about meeting her). But I think it was a highlight of the trip for them to meet characters. I made these little autograph books before we went, not sure if we would even use them. They were well used!

Tuesday:
Entering the Park


End of Day 1: Tired, dirty, in love with mouse ears and totally happy

Wednesday:

One of the highlights of the trip was our character meal at Goofy's Kitchen. It was pure heaven for the kiddos and totally worth the time/money for the experience. We met Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Chip & Dale, Captain Hook (who my kids loved). One funny story is that when Cinderella came around, Carter refused to have his picture taken with her or have her sign his book. When she asked him who his favorite character is, he said, "Batman." She was a bit surprised and told him she couldn't help him with that one! Hilarious!
Addie was a dreamboat and slept the entire time we were there!!

We spent the rest of the day at California Adventure. It is a great park and we wish we would have had more time there. Apparently they are slated to add 8 new attractions in the next 5 years so we can't wait to go back!
I am mortified by this picture of myself. I look enormous but it is actually because my clothes are too BIG!! But it is cute of everyone else - F is for Frost Family! That night we hit both the CA (Pixar) and Disney parades!

LuLu at the parade:

Thursday: Back to Disneyland

At the Buzz Lightyear ride. I think we rode this 5 times - it was for sure a favorite!!

Can't go to Disney and not meet these guys (even though we kind of had to stalk them to find them but Carter was adamant):

I was kind of afraid that this trip would begin the princess obsession with Makenna but she honestly couldn't have cared less about them. Surprisingly she was smitten with Minnie Mouse. Every souvenir she chose was Minnie related. I'm hoping we can skip right over the Disney princess obsession here!

First Ears:

We watched the parades again that night and they loved them even more the 2nd time around.

It was quite chilly the entire time we were there, which is why we're wearing the same sweatshirts in every picture. It was in the 60s and overcast until Thurs. afternoon when it finally warmed up a bit. It was downright cold to us!

We drove home on Friday morning. It was such a great trip that we are already tentatively planning our next Disney vacation. I can't wait to go back. Next time I'd like to get the 5 day park hopper pass so we can do each of the parks more thoroughly.

Favorites:

Favorite Ride:

Makenna: Toon Town Roller Coaster

Carter: Splash Mountain

Allen & Monique: Soaring over California (we LOVED this ride)

Scariest Ride:

Makenna: Pirates of the Caribbean

Monique: The Ferris Wheel at C.A. (so scary in those swinging cars)

Carter & Allen: Scary, what's scary?

Best Treat:

Monique & Al: Dole Whip at the Tiki Stand (we went back more than once for this - yummy!!)

Carter: Candy, candy and more candy

Makenna: The Dorritos I packed in our lunch

Best Moment:

Monique: Watching the kids light up while walking down Mainstreet the first day and realizing just how amazing Disneyland is!

Allen: Watching the awe in our kids at the parades

Carter: Getting to dance with Goofy at Goofy's Kitchen

Makenna: Meeting Minnie Mouse