The Magic Kingdom

Our highly anticipated, carefully budgeted family vacation to Disneyland finally came to pass (thanks to Disney's "Give a Day Get a Day" free tickets!) this past weekend. Precious, happy memories were made. It was lovely to be free of schedules and discipline and just have joyful fun with my children and Spouse. It was not an extended stay; Friday at Disneyland, Saturday at the beach and Sunday on the road. Short, but very sweet. Come back tomorrow for beach photos and commentary.


The last time our family visited Disneyland #2 was just a few months old and #1 was not yet three. So this really was their first time. Can you see the anticipation in #2's face as we waited for the tram to take us to the park entrance? He knew he was supposed to be excited, but wasn't quite sure what to expect.





Growing up my family frequented Disneyland relatively often and so the place is full of nostalgia for me. It was gratifying to see some things haven't changed, like Main Street, The Matterhorn and The Tikki Room (and nearby Dole Pineapple Whip stand - yum!). Most of the changes to Disneyland since I was younger have been for the best, but I was truly saddened to see the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse turned into Tarzan's Treehouse - dumb!






In the above picture #2 is showing off what he chose to spend his hard earned recycling money on: a tiny collector's edition of the Millenium Falcon (from Star Wars - sheesh, people!) The set also included a tiny version of Luke's star fighter and a figure of Yoda. These three little pieces were lost and found so many times on our trip, each time accompanied by heart broken sobs. #2 even escaped from our hotel room one morning (don't judge, I was blow-drying my hair and Spouse was 'watching' the kids and apparently didn't see or hear him leave the room) in a determined quest to find the starship which had fallen out of his pocket the night before. The starship was found and then #2 decided that while he was out he might as well see the rest of the hotel grounds. Spouse found him in the basketball courts.

You betcha!

#1 had a little money to spend too. She fretted all morning about the perfect thing to buy, passing up treats and little treasures. Then as we were reentering the park after lunch (yes, we are the cheap-os who eat in the designated picnic area outside of the park. Best peanut butter sandwich of my life!) #1 saw a girl with beautiful face painting and determined that would be her splurge for the day. I thought it turned out lovely.








Pictured above is the most ridiculous ride in Disneyland. #1, #2 and Spouse waited in line for over half an hour for this 45 second thrill. That was longer than we had waited for any ride all day! And then it was determined that #1 was too small (or too scared) to ride alone, so at the last minute the three of them had to squeeze themselves into the rocket which was about half the size of a bathtub. Out of respect for Spouse I did not publish the "trying to fit" pictures. (Blackmail?) The one redeeming thing about this experience was just as the rockets ascended high into the air, the nightly fireworks show started and they got a spectacular view.... for about 45 seconds.



Beach tomorrow!