Disneyland

Lexie wrote:

Disneyland

(Dan's Disneyland writeup and more pitures are in the archive under early March and mid February).  We planned Disneyland to try to miss Spring Break.  Fortunately we did miss spring break, however for the first time ever in this part of California they let out all of the schools for a full week to celebrate president's day.  The lines were really reasonable still, and unbeknownst to us at first, the hours were longer also.  The weather was rainy so I was really excited that we have our kids 72 hour kits in the trailer.  I quickly located their .50 ponchos and we were on our way.  Rain at Disneyland isn't necessarily an emergency, but Disneyland prices for a new poncho in the rain dictates an emergency!  The ponchos worked well for Tyrell and Dan on Splash Mountain as well.  Lines are much shorter in the rain for the wet rides.

 

Tyrell Loved Splash Mountain

With the help of friends, especially Melinda and April, we were able to have a pretty good idea what we wanted to do our first day while we were still getting oriented.  Thanks to their advice we had plenty of snacks and drinks to avoid creating another emergency - paying Disneyland prices for food!  We were slow on the fast passes, but once we started using them we were really rolling!  I didn't go on any of the "extreme" rides because I don' want to take any unnecessary chances while I'm pregnant. 

David having fun at the Parade

By "extreme" I just mean the rides that have warnings about pregnant women riding.  Those are most of the famous rides like Splash Mountain and Space Mountain.  Before getting there I thought I would just be hanging around watching David and Natalyn ride all of the kiddy rides.  Even with all of the preparation from friends I was sorely lacking in what to expect!  I was able to go on all of the kiddy rides with the little ones and they had lots of family rides. 

David and Natalyn waiting for the Monsters Inc ride

Someone might be thinking, whoopdee doo; but it was really fun!  They have so many visual stimuli and sound effects that even the "little" rides are fun because they're like being catapulted inside a movie screen. 

Ty and Dallin just a little nervous at the start of a roller coaster

They also have a lot of 4-D shows and special programs throughout the day.  The whole family agreed that the Aladdin play was phenomenal and even the boys (with the temptation of California screamer close by) wanted to see the whole musical again!  We vetoed because it was our first day and we still hadn't been in the Disneyland part of the theme park.  (We started in California Adventure - where I'll admit were probably my favorite attractions).  Thanks April for suggesting the Aladdin show and Crush Talk.  That was a lot of fun too, and by the end of a rainy cold day, I was happy to take the little ones into the warm room and do it over and over again.  Unfortunately they close earlier than Disneyland.

Dan Dallin Natalyn David and Ty enjoying California Adventures

We had three days between the two parks and I felt like we covered most of the parks; to at least experience most things one time.

Everyone's top favorites were: 

        Dan - California Screamer

                                Lexie - Aladdin musical

                                Tyrell - Splash Mountain

                                Dallin - Star Tours

                                Natalyn – Buzz Light-year

        David - ladybugs (I think.  I may have put words into his mouth.                               He's still hard to understand.)