Here are a few pictures of our Disneyland trip.
A couple words of advice for anyone planning a trip (and also for me to remember for next time).
1. NEVER go between Christmas and New Years!
Yes, we did go then, and it was totally worth it. However, it is definitely a "once in a lifetime" trip. It was amazing to see all the Christmas decorations around the park. The Small World ride was decked out as well as the Haunted Mansion; it was decorated with The Nightmare Before Christmas theme. I think that's the only way we got Isabel to even consider it. Even the small little villages on the Storybook Boat ride had teeny-tiny Christmas trees and wreaths and lights. Disney definitely gives a new meaning to "going all out".
I can't even begin to describe how crowded it was there (see pictures below). They actually had workers directing foot traffic most of the day. They made certain parts of the park a one-way walkway. At one time I was literally stuck in Frontierland with Carter and Isabel in the stroller. There were so many people I couldn't move even if I wanted to.
By-the-way, did you know they actually close Disneyland? They did the day we left. They had reached capacity. Capacity? At Disnelyland? That's got to be nearly a bajillion people, right?
I should insert here that Jarad HATES crowds. He gets jittery with so
many people around and it literally took all his mental effort to not
run out of the park screaming. I can't believe he made it through all
three days without poking his own eyes out. The
patience award goes to him for this trip.
2. Eat at Flo's
The line for the Radiator Springs Racers was nearly always 3 hours long. Not a very conducive wait for three kids 10 and under (or for four adults wrestling them). Yes, I know you're suppose to go first thing to get fast passes for this ride. We did. So did the other fifty bajillion people in the park. The fast pass line was about a 30 minute wait and all the passes were all gone by about 9am. So, instead of actually riding this ride, we watched other people ride it as we ate our lunch.
If you're heading to Disneyland, Flo's V8 Diner is in Cars Land and has the best quality/affordable food in the park. They serve roast beef, pork, or turkey breast with gravy. They have a variety of sides to choose from including mashed potatoes, corn and baked beans, and the serving sizes are fairly generous. Our kids liked the selection of kids meals (turkey sandwiches, mac & cheese, etc.) and we liked that vegetables, not fries, were part of the meal. The adult meals cost around $13 each and the kids meals were about half that. Watch out for the drinks...that's where they'll get you! However, that $3.50 for a Diet Coke was well worth it after trudging through the crowds all day. They have ample seating both inside and out. If you sit outside you can see the Radiator Springs Racers go by every minute or two.
3. Take Extra Adults
My parents went with us this time around. I don't think we would've survived without them. Cole wanted to do the wild and crazy stuff. Isabel's idea of wild and crazy is flying through the dark on the Peter Pan ride. Carter wasn't quite tall enough to go on a few rides that the rest of us wanted to. A one to one adult child ratio is definitely not overkill.
Even though we fought crowds all day, this trip was leaps and bounds better than the last time we tried this! Isabel actually thinks Disneyland is fun now and not some twisted form of torture. Her favorite ride this time around ended up being the Grizzly River Run. She giggled the whole time and absolutely loved it. We rode it three times on our last day there. Cole couldn't get enough of Screamin' California; the roller coaster that shoots you out like a rocket and spins you upside down. Last time we went he was about an inch too short to ride it. This time I think he rode it at least four times. Carter 's favortie ride was the Tow Mater ride in Cars Land. In fact he asked me just today if we could go back so he could ride Tow-Mater.
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| Apparently it was sunny, hence the hand visor over the eyes. But, look how awesome that castle looks! |
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| A sample of the crowd. That actually looks mild compared to later in the day. |
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| Where Carter spent most of his time...on Grandpa's shoulders! |
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| Inside Small World. They had the Small World song mixed in with Jingle Bells...amazing stuff. |
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| Toy Story! |
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| Eat at Flo's! |
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| Cars Land! |
