More Disneyland Pictures Than You Will Ever Want to See

Vacation - Our Last Day

Well, five days can go by pretty fast and already we have reached the last day of our vacation. Today we woke up and got out the door in time for the park to open. We had a plan to visit all of our favorite rides again.

Upon entering the park we ran into more characters so we had to stop and get autographs and photos. As we were doing that Zeb took off and ran around the park trying to get a fast pass for the rides we wanted. One of the things I really wanted to do that we didn't have time for yet was see Tinkerbell and other fairies so we waited in line for their autographs and a photo op. Nic wasn't really thrilled but again he was a good sport.

Zeb still wasn't back so we headed to Fantasyland for another round on the Tea Cup ride and we also managed to find a short line for Mr. Toad's Wild ride. Zeb caught up with us here and we headed to Space Mountain. We also go the update that Indiana Jones was down again but the line for Splash Mountain was short if we wanted to do that. Since it was still chilly we decided to wait until later and headed over to California Adventure for another look at Soarin' Over California. We also decided to eat lunch over here in hopes of having some different options.

We found a tasty hotdog stand in Hollywood. While Zeb and I were still eating Keara and Nic went over to watch a show and ended up getting picked from the audience as helpers. We were so disappointed to miss it but Keara and Nic both got line drawings of Woody and Mickey as thank you's. We could just kick ourselves for not being over there but what can you do?

After lunch we headed back over to Disneyland and got a fast pass for Indiana Jones which was working again. We were on our way to Splash Mountain but it was down so we did the Big Thunder Railroad again. We then got some ice cream and headed over to Tom Sawyer Island and played around there for a while.

We almost headed back to the hotel but ended up joining the Disney Dance Party on main street. Kailei amused me when she yelled from the crowd at Alice in Wonderland, "Hey Alice, look up here! I'm over here!"

Nic, Keara and I took off before it ended to hit Indiana Jones while Zeb and Kailei did a few more rides. We met to do one last run on Space Mountain before we called it a day.

We treated the kids to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe which was fun and then bought one more souvenir to end our trip. Zeb and I reflected at dinner on our week and we were blessed. The kids were great - hardly a complaint. The weather was good. We really had a great time and we were glad we had this opportunity with the kids. I know times are hard for so many folks right now and I'm doubly blessed we were able to make this happen.

Highlights of the day for Chris and Zeb...

• Nic losing his lanyard and our good fortune that someone turned it in.
• Nic and Keara's excitement at getting picked from the audience to help.
• Kailei singing and dancing her way around the park.
• Our volcano dessert.
• Our 3:30am wake up call (what was I thinking in booking a 7:30am flight?).
• Kailei yelling to Alice in Wonderland.

Note to self: Never give up candy for lent while going on a vacation. It was sooooo hard.

Miss You

Vacation - Day 4

The park opens early some days so we decided to take advantage of it and see some more of the characters. We still needed some signatures and the kids were on a mission.


Up way earlier that any of us wanted we still managed to be there which turned out to be great. We did get to see Donald and Minnie but Sleeping Beauty alluded us. We also got an early start on all the rides. Peter Pan's Flight began the morning with Alice in Wonderland and Dumbo. The lines were bearable and the rides enjoyable.

We also did It's a Small World and the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is a roller coaster and Kailei's only comment was, "It's awesome!"


We rode Space Mountain again and again. The first time we went I told Kailei I was a little scared. She simply held my hand and told me, "It's only space Mom."

We played Astro Blaster again, did a little more shopping and tried unsuccessfully to hunt down Sleeping Beauty. Zeb is a little worried. Kailei commented that "Sleeping Beauty might be on a date OR she might be dead." He really doesn't want Kailei thinking Sleeping Beauty is dead so he is now on a mission to find her as well.


We came back for a little afternoon swim. Kailei enjoyed Castaway Cove and Nic and Keara spent time in the big pool.


The boys went out to Disneyland again to ride Indiana Jones but the girls and I decided to call it an evening. I was pooped and I knew the girls could use a few extra zzz's.

*********************

Favorite characters:

• Nic - Donald Duck
• Keara - Jasmine
• Kailei - Ariel
• Christine - Sully
• Zeb - Belle

Favorite rides:

• Nic - couldn't narrow it down to one
• Keara - Space Mountain
• Kailei - Teacup ride
• Christine - Indiana Jones
• Zeb - Splash Mountain

Highlights for Zeb and Chris....

• Kailei fell asleep each day for her nap in Zeb's arms.
• The girls enthusiasm for roller coasters...who knew?!
• Kids eating (and liking) their first churro.
• Nic always forgets at least one thing despite reminding him.
• Our feet still hurt.
• The brownie and ice cream at Mimi's (yummy!)
• Keara riding roller coasters with both hands in the air...yes..Keara.
• Nic - our pin trader.
• Kailei's picture pose.
  

One more day left. My mind will miss it but my body could use some recovery time.

P.S. Kailei just leaned over and whispered to me. "Mommy, Mommy...(a big smile on her face)..I'm thinking about all the rides."


Time for bed.

Our Aching Feet

Vacation - Day 3

Well, since I didn't get to blog yesterday it might all start to blur together but I'll try and remember some of the highlights from yesterday.

We grabbed breakfast at McDonald's again. It's easy and cheap. Kailei said, "Mom we are at McDonald's again.". I said, "Yes we are." And she stated, "It's so unusual." Hmm...not sure where that comment came from but it made me laugh.

The weather was much better yesterday. Back to 70 degrees and sunny.

Spent the day trying to ride things we had not ridden and that didn't required standing in line for more than 30 minutes.

The kids had to do Splash Mountain again (of course). We rode Indiana Jones (which was awesome!) and did Big Thunder Mountain. Again, to our surprise the girls enjoyed it all. The girls and I went through the Haunted House which was fun. We also rode the Carousel and had to get on the Teacup ride since that was one of Kailei's few requests.

Mid-afternoon we headed back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. I'm beginning to think if vacation consisted of nothing but a pool, it would still be great for the kids.

Having enjoyed Indiana Jones, we returned to the park for another round. Unfortunately Chris, Nic and Keara were in line and it broke down. Ugh! We were almost there too. We stayed to see if it would get fixed but after 30 minutes or so, they called it and we were all let out. We did get a fast pass to any ride in the park so all was not lost.

We headed over to Space Mountain and decided to use it there. I thought we only had three passes so I sent Kailei, Zeb and Nic on the ride. Keara and I did a little shopping as we waited. They all came out very excited about it so we knew we would be riding it again.

Because of the delay at Indiana Jones, we ended up being in the park quite late. The fireworks (which we hear nightly from our room) were in full swing and what a spectacular show. Only Disney can do it so well and it was great to watch as we walked out of the park.

Bedtime was late but the beauty is that we all fall asleep in a matter of minutes.

Highlights for Chris and Zeb...

• Kailei and the "fire cracks"
• Stuffing cotton candy in Nic's face
• Nic commenting on rope climbing. "I totally failed that part in gym.", he said.
• Nic and Keara laughing at the corny jokes told on the Jungle Cruise.
• Keara's paralization when it comes to chosing "just one thing" to buy.
• Keara and Kailei attempting to share a bed together. I wouldn't want to sleep with either one of them but Keara really is horrible.
• The smiles on the kids faces.

No Time to Blog But...

Zeb has "forced" us all up early and we are off to Morning Madness. Will have to blog about yesterday later but here are a few more pictures.