Last Wednesday we surprised the kids with a trip to Disneyland that I had basically been planning since the last time we went and left Kainoa at home. It was an awesome 3 day excursion that hopefully won’t be forever tainted by the 13 HOURS we spent at the airport after our 9am flight was cancelled on Saturday. But we don’t need to get into that…today. Instead I will share some valuable lessons from Disney I picked up on this trip:
1. My kids are weak.
I have not raised walkers. And Disneyland is non-stop walking. I would love to demonstrate for you how dramatic and angry Laina got every time she had to rotate the stroller with her big sister. Hunched shoulders, heavy stomping, pathetic whimpering…she’s got it down. Next time? Everyone’s getting scooters.
2. I was right to leave their brother home last year.
I got some grief last year when I chose to leave Kainoa behind and took the girls on vacation to Disneyland without him. Although he was thrilled with the adventure this year, he’s a simple little fellow and was not wooed by the rides and souvenirs. In fact, he opted NOT to go on a majority of the rides and instead preferred anything quiet and slow moving. We visited the Small World more times than I care to count and there’s no way he would have put up with the lines last year. He was barely mature enough to deal with them THIS year.
3. Parents are cuh-razy.
When you find yourself snapping at a crying child at the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH…something is wrong. I’m guilty of this. You have a small window of time to get as much done as possible and the pressure to get to it all, along with the lines and crowds, is enough to make a parent crack at a whining child. After ALL I have done to get you here, you have the audacity to whine about a CHURRO? YOU JUST ATE ONE! If I’m angry, and my child is crying…it’s time for plan B. Throw the kid a churro (yes another one) and consider taking a break.
4. My kids are just…kids.
Rushing a handful of kids to all the rides, weaving in and out of crowds, and pointing at every bright colored Disney feature to be found is overwhelming. We kept the kids at the park until 11pm on Wednesday after a long day of traveling and woke them up at 6am on Thursday to take advantage of the pass we got to enter the park one hour before it opens to the public. My kids don’t operate on lack of sleep. Thank you Kainoa for the gentle reminder to calm us the hell down. We made time for a nice nap after that.
5. Walking Burns Calories
The best part about walking ALL. DAY. LONG is that you KNOW you’re losing weight. It’s the best feeling. Shaving off a few pounds while having fun…what more could a person ask for? As it turns out 4 nights of room service, eating out, snacking on Churros and ice cream cones doesn’t only cross out the calories burned…it actually outweighs the calories burned. I walked approximately 4,500 miles in 4 days and…gained 4 pounds. Whoops a daisy.
6. There’s only room for one Evil Queen in Disneyland.
The evil queen flicked me away when I got too close to her…apparently there’s only room for one of us in the park.
7. Margaritas and meeting blog friends only helps.
I should schedule afternoon meetings with blog friends EVERY afternoon, because after a couple margaritas and some laughs with Marcy, I was rearing to go for the second half of the day. “WHO WANTS TO GET PICTURES WITH MINNIE MOUSE!?!?!” Apparently a little alcohol turns me into a giant child.
8. Doing other things is okay too…
On day three my kids were all “we want to go swimming” and I was all “say what? We still haven’t gone to Pixie Hollow or flown Dumbo or gone to Bug’s Land or…or…or…” It didn’t matter. Here we were with the magic of Disneyland at. our. fingertips, after months and months of dreaming about going again and they wanted…to swim. I didn’t get it. But I wasn’t going to push it. We live in a rainy city, who was I to stand in the way of the California sun and the beckoning pool…and as Marcy so eloquently put it…”the Disneyland experience is just as much about the hotel stay as it is the actual park”. So very true.
9. Not getting to everything on your list of things to see and do is okay.
The only thing on my personal list of things to do was to eat at the Blue Bayou and to have brunch with the princesses at Ariel’s Grotto. Yes, this was my personal list. Turns out rsvp-ing for meals at restaurants BEFORE the trip would actually be a wise idea. I never found the time to check ahead once we were there and we accomplished neither, BUT that’s okay. If we accomplished everything on my personal list than I’d have nothing to look forward to next time.
10. There will definitely be a next time…
I don’t know who loves Disneyland more…the kids? Or me living vicariously through them for round two of my childhood? Either way, I am a fan. It’s not an inexpensive trip, but I think it’s worth saving for. There’s something special about the castle and the rides and Main Street at night that just makes me happy. And for 70 bucks a day I’m definitely renting scooters for the entire family. Do you have any idea how much GROUND we could cover in one of those babies!?!
Erin says
So bummed I didn’t get to enjoy a margarita with you! Next time for sure!
And? Both my boys could care less about anything but something with horses or fish or something of that nature on it that goes around and around. Phew, so glad I spent all that money on a yearly pass!
XLMIC says
LOL! This so reminds me of our trip to the Happiest Place about a year ago! We smuggled food in…that was our highlight :P Oh, and the 6 hours in urgent care due to an ingrown eyelash of all things.
Looks like you all had a blast…despite the poor boy weeping at the foot of the trash can ;-)
Lynnie says
You MUST MUST MUST come and visit Tokyo, Disney…..it’s even better than Disney in the US. It is you and 7 million of your closest Japanese friends!
Kisatrtle says
I love your post and think Disney travel places should link up to it. It is one of the reasons I’d like to take an adult trip to disney and leave all my kids behind. You in?
Nicole @MTDLBlog says
Looks like a fantastic time! :-)
Jessica says
I’m so glad you shared the good, bad and the slow walkers. Mine little ones are only 4, 4 and 2 and we are putting off the trip despite the fact that everyone we know thinks we are terrible parents for depriving them of the trip. We will go when they will actually remember it and the % of irrational whining decreases in our house.
So glad you had a great time.
Jenny says
You are right about all of the above. Especially the pool. Every trip we have taken to Orlando we do about 6-8 hours at the park and he wants to leave and go swimming in the hotel pool. We are leaving for Universal/Islands of Adventure tomorrow, maybe I will have some more pointers after this venture ;)
angie lee says
Um…I thought it was agreed that if you couldn’t meet me you weren’t supposed to meet anyone as fun as Marcy sounds. :)
Seriously laughed my way through this. I’m so glad you had a good time and that 13 hour delay came at the END of your trip.
AND, what’s with bringing the rain with you?
Recovering Supermom says
So glad you had a good time and survived all the hard parts….especially the airport! I can’t wait until we take our kids to Disneyland. Your list will help me prepare. :)
Holly from 300 Pounds Down says
What a great trip!! I love all the pics!
ronnie says
Love, love, love, love this post! Especially #4, #5, and #7!
Completely agree with the pool aspect. Every trip we take, we try and make sure there is a pool – even in cold destinations we look for indoor pools. It’s something about swimming on vacation – it makes kids happy.
Again, awesome post – loved it!!!
Dara Dokas says
You’re list is completely true!! You have to pace yourself (and your family) or it’s melt-down city! I love Disney, but my husband doesn’t. He thinks their motto “The Happiest Place on Earth” should really be: “Be Happy or Else!”
He can stay home next time.
LizB says
Outstanding post! Growing up in Orange County, CA, I felt privileged to visit once every summer. I took so much for granted. It has changed so much, but has not lost the magic! So glad you made the trip. The kids will always remember it!
Jessica S says
We just got back from Disney a few weeks ago and I totally agree with your list. I’m so glad we brough the double stroller for the two kids (age 2 and 5) because they rode more than they walked. We stayed in a condo across the street and went home everyday for naps. It made the biggest difference! My husband told me it was ok we didn’t get to everything (after 4 days), because now we have something to look forward to next time. It really is such a fun place! If only they would do something about the crowds…
Marta says
I feel the same way about everything. We went to Disneyworld in january (on my inlaws dime, the best way to travel) and I was already planning my repeat trip while still there.
Susan in the Boonies says
#1: You are so smart! You actually learn from your life experiences, and document for yourself and others as well! Your lessons are practical and down to earth, great tips. If I were ever going to Disneyland or Disneyworld again, I would value reading this as a way of setting up realistic expectations. But I think you can apply these principles to any vacation, in a way, where you are hoping to see and do a lot.
#2: The child melt-down picture is great.
#3: The caption regarding the evil queen flicking you off, was genius. As long as she didn’t flip you off. Are they even allowed to DO that at the Happiest Place On Earth???
Much love to you, Kat!
Nancy Davis Kho says
THANK YOU for the honesty. I am pretty sure I was the meanest I ever was to my kids the time I took them to Disneyland on my own (who the hell thought of THAT plan?) There was a lecture outside the Pirates of the Caribbean that I hope no one heard me give my children, because if they did then CPS is still trying to track me down.
That said, five years later they only remember the fun stuff. (The rest will surface during their inevitable therapy.) Maybe if I’d stopped for a margarita along the way…
Susi says
Walking, pouting, taking turns in the stroller… ah yes, Disney memories. We took our boy for the first time when he was two … he had more fun at the Mc Donald’s playground down the street. Hubby and I had a mimi-moon at Disney World/ Epcot. Best trip ever. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Bruna says
Aww, traveling with kids. Ain’t it fun? We’re going this year with a 4, 6 and 14 year-old. I know I’m in for trouble. All three of them HATE walking!
Looks like you all had fun though. I’m with you on LOVING Disneyland. I could go every year!
Ali says
The thing that stands out for me is that nobody is sweating which is a huge difference from what we’re used to going to Disney World. My son is a Disney freak and he wants to go to Disney LAND for his 10th birthday. So yeah, we might stick all 5 of us on a plane from Florida to California just to do basically the same things so we can say we did it…once.
Jen says
Ok those were some good lessons but do you know what I learned from this post… drink a gallon sized flask filled with alcohol. ;-)
That is how Disney is done.
Jennifer says
So fun!!! I can’t wait to take my kiddos to DisneyWorld in a few years. We’re east coast, but I’d def check out Disneyland if we were out by you. Loved all the pictures!
Kristen says
We have only been to Disney World once with our girls and it was between the two weeks where they turned 4 & 2. They barely remember it. I want to get back there soon. We’re hoping for the fall.
I will need to keep in mind about your tips…basically it comes down to remembering that they are only kids. We can’t expect them to have fun 24/7 just because they are at the happiest place on earth ;-)
Tiffany says
Thanks for the heads up! We have passes for Sea World so we regularly take the kids there. They’re used to crowds, waiting in line and the stress- for the most part. We’ve only been to Disney World once with them, two years ago and we’re hoping to go again in the near future. I am taking your advice. :) Personal lists are best kept quiet and down time in the pool is a must.
MJ says
I admire your bravery. We attempted Disneyland a little while back – kids were 4.5 years old and 11 months old at the time. We lasted until 5pm, but for the most part, had fun. Next time, though? Waiting until the youngest (now 2 years old) is old enough to appreciate it. Potty-trained might be good, too…
Mary says
I’ve always thought of Disneyland as The Magic Kingdom of Assholes until my daughter insisted she wanted to go there for her 10th birthday. She’d been there before but not with me. So I took her, my sister (thank god) and two of her friends. Turns out my kid is completely fearless and had to go on every scary ride. But her friends refused so my poor sister and I took turns going on them. I ended up going on the last ride in California Adventure – Tower of Terror!!! Took years off my life. Please promise you’ll never do it!!! Still we had a good time – all in all.