Thursday, January 31, 2013

Two months ago we went to Disneyland (Day 3)

Day 3

Day three of our trip was our first day at Disneyland.  We got up super early and got ready to go.  We had breakfast and then waited patiently for the bus to pick us up at our hotel and take us to the happiest place on earth!


I made the kids all Disney shirts to wear most of our days at the park.  I thought they turned out pretty cute.


We wanted to be first to the park each day.  We were at the parks during one of the busiest times of the year.  Arriving first can make a huge difference in how many attractions you are able to hit each day.  We also used RideMax to ensure that we got to do everything we wanted to while we were there.  This was the second time using it, and I will never go to the parks without it.  


Exploring while waiting.




Once they let us in the park, Jason and the kids took off running down Main Street!  They wanted to be in front for the Rope Drop.


We waited patiently at the rope in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.  I love the Rope Drop ceremony.   There's just something special about the way they welcoming you into the parks in the morning.  


We started out in Fantasyland, hitting Peter Pan, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and the Tea Cups.




Then we headed towards Toon Town.  On our way, we noticed that the line for the Princess Fantasy Faire was pretty short, so we stopped to meet Ariel, Tiana, and Belle.




Belle is Payson's favorite princess, so she was extra excited to meet her and get her autograph!  



Then we hit a few rides on Toon Town.  Lucas LOVED running around and exploring!  It was super cute.


That afternoon we stopped for lunch at Cafe Orleans and had Monte Cristo sandwiches and Beignets that were to die for!!

After lunch, we met Jack Skellington.  Jack asked me to say to him, "Jack, meet Jack!"  He thought that was hilarious.  :)


We explored Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island.  Jack was in little boy heaven!


Of course, Lucas found the waterfall and tried to climb right in.


We hit a few rides in Tomorrowland that afternoon too.  But the most important event of the day was Jedi Training!  Jack has recently gotten really, really, really, REALLY into Star Wars, so this was a HUGE deal!  We made sure to arrive early and sit right in the front.  Thankfully, Jack was chosen to participate!  He was given a Jedi robe and lightsaber and was trained by real Jedi's!!  We got some great video of him fighting Darth Maul, which I think was the highlight of his LIFE!  When he was finished, he was given an official certificate stating that he was a true Jedi.  It was so awesome.


Later on, we had to check out the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!  Somehow, in the gazillion times I've been to Disneyland, I had never heard of it.  Just like everything at Disneyland, it's really overpriced, but it was a really fun experience for the kids.  I love that they do a little "knight's" package for boys.  Jack ended up with a red dyed fauxhawk covered in Mickey confetti and glitter, plus a super awesome sword and shield.  He loved it!


Lucas, testing out the sword.


Payson chose the most white trash hair accessory they offered.  :)  It was pretty hilarious.  I tried to encourage her to do something else, knowing she would like this one when they were done, but she wanted this.


She posed happily, and then took the hair extension out as soon as we left the store.  Other than that goofy hairdo, she loved the experience and walked away with a cute little bag of nail polish, lip gloss, etc.

We ended the night with the Believe in Magic Holiday fireworks show.  Lucas crashed and missed the show.  The rest of us were pretty beat after a long day.  But it was totally worth it!  I love the way the castle lights up and they even make it "snow" at the end of the show.


It was such a fun day together as a family!  There were multiple moments where I teared up with joy, just thinking about how lucky we are.  I'm a sap like that.  But it was such a perfect day in one of my favorite places with my very favorite people!

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