A Change Of Plans---- We're off to Disneyland!

One week until school starts and we received this text message

So what do the most Awesome Parents in the world do with this delay?

They wake their kids up at 5am and they drive to 

DISNEYLAND!

DAY 1: The Magic Kingdom

We learned pretty quickly that during the next three days we would not get a single photo of the kids all looking in the same direction, and that at least one child would be making an awkward face during the photo.  Which also meant that there were a lot of photo doubles so that everyone had at least one sorta decent pic.

One of the main reasons we wanted to go to Disneyland.

To watch the magic come alive in the minds of these kids!

I love watching the kids faces as they are seeing things for the first time.  

That's where the magic lives.

Splash Mountain.

The thrill and anticipation of the unknown...

I love how Lexi is reaching behind herself to grip her seat.

Going again with Dad!

Entertaining a little boy while he waits for his sisters to go on a ride.

It's a Small World.

Tomorrow land.  

Where we encountered Star Tours and Space Mountain.

It's ironic that the little kids are "big enough" to go on the ride, but "not big enough" to be seen by the camera.

Autotopia.

The Haunted Mansion.

Just a quick pic in front of the Arendelle Haus.  

We will return later to meet all of our favorite frozen characters.

Tinkerbell's house in Pixie Hollow.

Dinner with Goofy and the Gang!

And the firework show, in which we took no pictures of the fireworks but we did take one of Leighton sleeping on the street.

Day 2: California Adventure Park

Addison buckles in for her favorite ride- California Screamin' Roller Coaster.  

Oh the joys of being "tall enough".

She rode it a couple of times with Dad then told Mom that she would go with me so that I would not be scared.

Princesses ready for a meet and greet!

Our TEN Disney tips with kids:

1. Take a stroller.  They pack a lot and you can park it anywhere.  Plus it helps in those late evening hours when your walking back to your hotel.

2. Parent Pass.  When one parent has to stay with a younger child who is not tall enough to go on the ride, the other parent can take the older children but before getting on the ride they can ask for a parent pass.  After going on the ride they will give the parent that stayed behind the parent pass.  That parent will then take the older kids and go through the 'Fast Pass' line (skipping the long waiting line) and go on the ride.  This allows both parents to have a turn on the ride, and the older kids get to go twice!  

3.  Fast Passes are tickets that you get for a particular popular ride.  It will give you a return time (like an appointment) to come back and then you get to go through the "fast pass" line which is a shorter wait.  However you are limited on the number of fast passes you can get so if you have small children then only one parent needs a fast pass because they will get the other parent a parent pass.  This allows the other parent to get a fast pass for a different ride.

4. Food.  Any Character Dinning experience is a good option but they are expensive and you have to make a reservation.  You can always pack food and snacks to off set cost but there comes a time when you just want a meal.  Based on cost/portion size/taste our two recommendations are: Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta at Paradise Pier in California Adventure Park and Rancho del Zocalo Restorante in Disneyland by Big Thunder Mountain.

5.Bathrooms!  It does not matter how many times you take the kids to the bathroom, someone always has to go when you are in the middle of a long line.  When this happens, you can get out of line to take them BUT FIRST tell one of the park attendants (usually by the fast pass line) the situation and they will give you a fast pass ticket to come back!  

6. Make sure you pack a change of clothes and underwear for each kid.  Something that packs small like leggings.  It takes up very little room in your stroller but comes in handy when they have an accident or sit in something.

7.  Water.  It's essential, especially if it's hot out.  And there are several places where you can refill your bottles.

8. Shoes.  It's not about the fashion when you are on your feet for 12 hours.  Wear comfy shoes and take some mole skin!

9. Souvenirs.  We did let each kid buy a souvenir at the park, but Mom also went to the Disney Store at home before leaving and bought souvenirs like tee shirts and a toy.  She then packed them in a seperate bag.  Each morning before leaving Mom would lay the souvenir on the bed with a note from Tinker Bell or Mickey Mouse.  When we got back to the hotel the kids would see their gift!  Adding to the Magic without the extra cost!

10. Enjoy it!  Take your time, don't worry if you don't do everything.  Enjoy the time as a family.

Aladdin Live!  

They sure do an amazing job with their productions.  

The kids loved seeing their favorite stories come to life!

The Tower of TERROR!  

All three girls went on the Tower of Terror with Mommy.  

Lexi and Leighton decided that once was enough.

Addi decided to go again so she could see Daddy scream!

When Mommy took the girls a man (not a gentleman, I'm pretty sure he was intoxicated) claimed that he was trying to keep it together because he didn't want to look like a wimp in comparison to my four year old girls. (exact words were changed to keep this blog 'g' rated)

Ready for the Pixar Parade!  

(and giving our feet a much needed rest)

Day 3:  Frozen meet and greet.

We decided to have our meet and greet with the frozen Charactors on four last day because we asked several people on our first day how long they had waited to see the Frozen Princesses- 

4 hours (that's ludicrous).

There was no way we were going to wait that long in a line with kids, so our plan was to get to the gate early.  

We showed up an hour before gates opened and we were first in line.  

We fed the kids muffins and fruit for breakfast while waiting in line.

They had us wait 20 minutes before they let us through the security check line.  

Then we waited another 20 minutes at the entrance gate.  

They let us in the park to wait at Main Street Disney (which was roped off) for the last 10 minutes until the park officially opened.  

Because they broke the wait period up, it really didn't seem so long. The kids didn't mind and had started making friends while waiting in line. 

Once we were at Main Street Disney 'holding area' there was a large sign that said "Frozen Meet And Greet Line Starts Here".  We joined that line and they led us away from the Main Street area and straight to the Arenedelle Haus.  15 minutes we were meeting Elsa and Anna!  

(So much better than waiting 4 hours! Way to go Mom and Dad!)

The Tea Cups!

The Dumbo Ride,

I have no idea what they are looking at here.  With my luck it's poorly disposed of gum, and there's always a chance of my girls taking it and eating it.

Big Thunder Rail Road!

In the Belly of a Whale.

The Matterhorn.

Addi, Mommy and Lexi!!

Lexi has the good fortune of being tall for her age and could join us on several "big kid" rides.

Merida.

  Addi's favorite princess at the moment.  She even chose a Merida bow and arrow set for her take home souvenir.

Rapunzel's Theater Show.

Princess Meet and Greet.  

(our girls dream come true!!)

Mickey's Toon Town.

The Magic Moment!

Meeting Mickey!

Austin and his Favorite Character!

The Awesome Parents that made this all possible.

Back at Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell and her Fairy Friends.

With Fawn, the Animal Fairy.  

Addison asks why she is human size and not Fairy size.  Fawn replies that she is tiny tiny and the rest of us shrunk!  Look at the grass and flowers, we are all smaller than them!  Addi remains skeptical, but seems to buy into the explanation.

Tinker Bell!

Mickey Mouse's Soundsational Parade!

It was a wonderful surprise vacation, so much better than starting school on time!  

Thanks Mom and Dad!