Day two of our Disneyland adventure was filled with walking, eating riding, blog friend meeting, more walking, and eventually sleeping. We woke up with fresh legs and full bellies.
Maile decided after the day one that she was now too afraid to go on rides. I can hardly blame her. The first rides we went on were based on some of our favorite movies, but like the movies, had elements of fear and wicked laughter and wicked witches and scary scenes.
This limited our riding experience to only the pleasurable kiddie rides…which is was fine for all of us…except for Pat, who tried really hard to convince Maile that Indiana Jones was a harmless roller coaster.
She wasn’t buying it.
We stuck to pleasurable kiddie rides instead.
Which consisted of about 5 rounds of Autopia where the girls delighted in driving their own race cars.
A Jungle Cruise.
And also an hour at Toon Town where we waiting in line for nearly 20 minutes to go on Roger Rabbit spin cars only to find out when we got to the front of the line that both Maile and Laina were too afraid to go on them. Wanna irritate me? Put me in a line for 20 minutes for no reason whatsoever. I don’t know why I didn’t just hop on those spinning cars by myself.
After spending the first half of the day walking our feet off, Pat took the girls to the hotel for a break while I met up with Marcy from The Glamourous Life for coffee. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet blog friends in real life, might I suggest doing so? There’s just something about getting to hash out all of the details of blogging with people who get it. Not only did Marcy and I relish in all blog talk, but she also convinced me to take the girls to California Adventure, which is next door to Disneyland, but a park I originally had no intention of exploring.
The girls and I left Pat behind and went gallivanting through California Adventures. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I joked with Pat about how it was my favorite part of the trip because he wasn’t there with us, but really it was my favorite part of the trip because he wasn’t there with us.
I love girl time.
When it started getting dark we headed back to meet up with Pat. Have I mentioned that Disneyland officially marks my list of top five favorite places to be at night time? The streetlights, the sparkling rides, the fireworks, the happiness! It. is. beautiful!
We stood in awe as the fireworks lit up the sky behind Sleeping Beauty’s castle and for a moment…for just a moment…I felt the magic again. The magic that makes you believe in the future and yourself and ice cream.
And then the fireworks ended and the inconsiderate fool to my left nailed me in the head with his backpack as he was getting up. Just like that. The magic was gone.
But it lived on in the kids. We successfully wore them out. Got back to our hotel room after 11pm and ordered dinner via room service.
My kids ate grilled cheese sandwiches at midnight that night.
And all was well in the world.
Kate Collings says
Oh wow that looks like so much fun. Can I come next time ;-) I remember going to Dysneyland Paris when I was 18 and had a fab time. Great pics by the way. Take care xx
Angel says
I will pretend not to be just a teensy bit jealous cause I have never been to Disneyland and have always wanted to go.. the pictures are beautiful and looks like you are having a great time. Might I add I am with the babies and no scary freaky rides for me..
Allison @ Alli 'n Son says
Oh how fun! Looks like a wonderful time. I’m most envious of that waffle though. I’m hungry.
T says
we’re in the process of planning our first trip… EARLY in the process… since I’m feeling overwhelmed by the 7 tabs currently open with tips and tricks for beating the crowd… etc…
of course, I’d better hurry and get it done… my oldest is 15 and will probably need therapy if he goes off to college without having done Disney.
I “think” Disneyland is cheaper than therapy…
Note to self: avoid sitting by inconsiderate fools during the fireworks :)
gina says
The only Disney that my L is into is Cars, so I didn’t think it would be worth it to take him there. You’ve officially changed my mind.
Grace says
Disney’s California Adventure (the park adjacent to the more famous Disneyland Park) is having an entire “land” based on Cars and Route 66 built … I think it opens next year! You will love it there.
My kids haven’t seen many Disney movies, we don’t have any of the merchandise, etc., but that didn’t matter a whit when we were there. It’s so magical that you don’t really need to be aware of the movies & characters at all to enjoy it.
JustMom420zaks says
Those girls are going to remember that trip their whole life. That’s where the magic really is! :)
Lynn MacDonald (All Fooked Up) says
I’ve never been to DisneyLand or DisneyWorld. I now realize that i’ve ruined my kids life. I’m glad you’re having fun. I’m such a fail.
Marcy Massura says
Aw, thank you for mentioning our meeting. It was really an ‘easy meet’, not hardly awkward at all. Except when you asked if I brought you any flowers. And then when you started doing all those shots at the bar. But other than that? A great first date.
But seriously- you know how much I adore the Dland and I am glad my little tip to visit BugLife land was a hit. Did you see the Popsicle benches? My fav.
Jamee @ A New Kind of Normal says
This post makes me even more excited for our trip to Disney in September! Looks like you had an awesome time!
DisgruntledMom says
We’ve been to Disney World twice, and I just assumed there was similar stuff but I haven’t seen any of the things you did! Now I have to see if I can con the hubby into DisneyLand so I can ride on the bugs!
Kayemgi says
I LOVE those commercials where the parents surprise their kids with a trip to Disney by telling them they’re going RIGHT NOW!!! I love that you did that for your girls, they will surely always remember it! And I can’t wait to be able to do that with my future kids! My boyfriend has never been and we are planning a trip to Disney World (we’re east coasters) for April. I’m so excited and reading your last two posts got me even more excited! I really hope it’s just as magical for him experiencing it for the first time as an adult as it was for me as a kid. It looks like you guys had a wonderful time!
Jennifer says
Awww. I love a happy ending.
Courtney says
My parents surprised me with a trip to Disneyland when I was 6 and it is my favorite memory from childhood. You have truly given your girls the trip of their young lives! And I’m really jealous. I want to go back!
JDaniel4's Mom says
Grilled cheese at midnight after a grea day at the park sounds perfect.
Jessica says
More great pics from the trip. Those girls will always remember the trip and hopefully one day you can go back with your son so he can experience the fun at Disneyland also.
Jen says
What an absolutely fabulous vacation. When are you going to take me?
Andrea says
So much fun! I have not been since I was 5mos pregnant with my #1. But I feel the need to get there before #4 arrives. Call me crazy, everyone else does. Glad you guys had so much fun here is our sunny SoCal!
Tonya says
I heart Disneyland! I’m so glad you and your family had such a fun trip. These pictures make me want to take my son again soon. He loves the “Mickey Mouse Park”, as he calls it. :)
Kindred Adventures says
Great piece. I can not wate until we have our chance to take our .5 Pints (also two little girls). It is such a magical place and I have such fond memories of going there as a child. You pictures could have been so ordinary, but your use of crisp color and color adjustments (is that what you call it??) make your piece move well and not boring. It is wonderful when family trips are so magical and meaningful to a family!
Laverne
Grace says
Oh, also, I concur with you on the fabulousness of meeting blog friends! A blog friend was just at my house today, actually! It was our second time to meet and I think she (along with several others) will be in my life for a long, long time.