Disneyland

(I'm starting to wonder how many posts I have titled as Disneyland over the 7 years we've been blogging.)

5 things we learned from our last trip to Disneyland:

1. Be honest. Don't surprise the kids with Disneyland after you told them we are driving to grandma's :(. There will be tears when there is no grandma.
2. The Caprese sandwich from the restaurant at the end of DL Main Street is soooo yummy! And the kids really liked the Macaroni & Cheese.
3. The very left line in the parking garage goes the fastest.
4. We spent more time in CA Adventure than Disneyland. The lines were shorter and it was less busy. Plus the kids enjoyed the rides at CA Adventure more.
5. Do Radiator Racers durning the Pixar Parade. The line wait was less than 50 mins.

The last time the kids went to Disneyland was 1.5 years ago. That's the longest hiatus they've had. The last time we went was a little overwhelming with the 3 little kids. Benson was only 3 months old, and September was really hot and humid. I remember thinking we will need a couple year break. But since Sadie will be turning 3 in a week we decided we better take a trip to DL before we have to start paying for her. 

We thought it'd be fun to surprise the kids. We told them we were driving to grandma's house. When we were a few minutes away Connor concluded we must be going to grandmas Cindy's since there wasn't any snow. We got to the hotel and told them the real plan. They tried to be excited. Then Connor climbed up on the bunkbed and we could hear him sniffling. He was sad. We felt bad. We put on a smile and walked over to Downtown Disney for dinner. The kids perked up and had fun. After dinner we took the kids swimming. They all LOVED it. That evening everytime Sadie heard someone in the hotel hallway she'd gasp and say "yeah, grandma's here!!!" She didn't get it.

The kids did soooooo great the next day at Disneyland!! There were no tantrums,  meltdowns, or a single tear from me or the kids!!! It was a perfectly magical day. The 1st half of the day the park was pretty crowded, but we never waited more than 10 mins for a ride at CA Adventure. Around 1pm we went over to DL for lunch. 

Disneyland was a lot busier. While there we rode Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, and the Carousle. Ryan took Connor on Indiana Jones for his first time. I took the little kids on Winnie the Pooh because there was no line at all! We walked right on, walked off and back on 3 times! 

We headed back for the Pixar Parade and Benson fell asleep. So Ryan took Connor over to Cars Land and me and Sadie sat and watched the parade. She loved it and it was fun for us to have a little one-on-one time while Benny slept. Ryan and Connor made it on Radiator Racers in record time (50mins without a fastpass). After the parade the park was DEAD no one was there!! It was sooo fun! Connor and Ryan went and rode a few more rides and I took the little ones on The Little Mermaid by myself a few times. We danced up and down the side walks and finished the night with the tractor ride in Cars Land.

It was the best night! I am smiling as I type this! It was so. fun. I can't wait to go again. Maybe next year before we have to start paying for Benson.

Sad Connor :(.

Sadie got the bottom bunk (she didn't actually sleep in it).

The Mickey balloon. We didn't actually pay for it. When we were walking into the hotel house keeping had it hooked to their cart, and they could see Sadie eyeing it; so they gave it to her.

Legos.

We tried a new hotel. The set up was nice in theory. No one actually slept in the bunk beds (Connor slept with us and Sadie in the pack'n'play). Benson did get the kids room all to himself. The reason we also stayed there was the proximity was sooo close the DL. But they would only let us leave our car in the parking lot until 4pm the day we checked out. So we ended up having to park at Disneyland in the end. I think we will stick to Embassy.

Morning breakfast before heading to the park.

Little Mermaid.

Little Mermaid. Sadie was mesmerized.

Playhouse Disney show.

Sadie photo bomb.

Snuggling with Ariel!!! 

I'm dying.

Connor didn't want to talk to her. But she made him pose for a picture. It embarrassed him.

The halfway through the day mark. (Booboo is sleepy).

My boys!!

Winnie the Pooh was Benson's favorite.

Awww, soo sweet. He slept through the Pixar Parade.

Waiting for our Pixar Pals.

Cars Land is my most favorite place at dusk. It's crazy the detail they put into this! It looks so real.

Last ride of the night with my little buddy. The perfect ending to a perfect day.