I think I need to start summarizing because this is getting TOO long, but I guess when you only take a family vacation every 5 years there is a lot to tell. I was determined when we got to Disneyland that we were going to get our money's worth out of our tickets. I think in the four days we were there we spent 50+ hours between the two parks!!!!! Thank goodness our hotel was just 5 minutes from the front gate and that our kids are old enough to go, go, go all day. We did take a nap on two of the days when we got up at crazy hours, and the other two days we slept in until 9:30, but we fit in every moment we could....
Highlights:
*Spending time with Coburn's and Griffith's the first day and then running into them the other days as well.
*Hanging out with my brother's family, Ryan, Kristen, Kassidee, and Cooper, for three great days at the parks.
*Paying $60.00 for our first meal in Anaheim at IHOP and then getting smart and buying $70.00 worth of groceries for the other 4 days and eating in the hotel room.
*Riding ALMOST every ride that was open in the two parks. Still upset they wouldn't let me go to the Tiki Room :(.
*Watching Taite participate in Jedi Training Academy and riding Star Tours 10 times! They are taking that ride out in July so I don't think Taite will see a reason to go back after that.
*$8.00 turkey leg, $3.75 small popcorn, $3.00 coke, $5.00 cotton candy, $25.00 ice cream for family.....little indulgences for a big price!
*Not having to stand in line for hours to meet the characters (the kids had no interest except for Mickey and Minnie, I guess they are growing up)
Favorite Rides we would Recommend:
California Adventure
*Screamin' *Soarin' *Toy Story Mania *Grizzly River Rapids (you WILL get wet)
Disneyland
*Space Mountain *Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster *Indiana Jones *Matterhorn *Big Thunder Railroad *Splash Mountain (you may get more than a splash)
Things you have to do just because it is Disneyland
*All the parades and the fireworks
*Bugs Life 3-D
*Small World Ride
*Tiki Room (even though my family ignored my requests)
*Dumbo (better hit this one early or during the parade the line is horrible!)
*Moments with Abraham Lincoln
*What Disney Character are you along with Turtle Talk with Crush (Dave/Lumineer, Amy/Mulan, Taite/Jiminy Cricket, Shaylee/Dot from Bug's Life, Olivia/Belle)
*Ride, RIDE, ride, RIDE until you literally are ready to drop from exhaustion!
Lessons learned:
*Don't make a tight schedule, it is easier to be flexible and take a nap.
*Check your kids' shoes before leaving to make sure they fit and will stay done up.
*Have plenty of snacks and water bottles in your backpacks.
*Take a poncho on Grizzly Rapids.
*Take jackets (mid-60's-mid-70's), it didn't stay warm the whole time, but it was a heck of a lot warmer than Idaho in April!
*Take FULL advantage of FastPass program.
*Don't put off shopping for souvenirs until the last moment, buy as you find, but have a $ limit in mind it will go fast.
*Bring food/groceries and you will save BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$.
*Smile you ARE having fun, and take lots of pictures!
Wow, our week went by so fast! Before we knew it it was time to start home. We packed up and headed out Friday morning at 7:30 AM and with a few stops along the way (Mojave Desert, St. George, Cedar City) we were home in 13 1/2 hours! Our only adventure on the way home was a snowstorm through Sardine Canyon, what a welcome back! The kids and parents were all exhausted, but it was a vacation to be remembered for a long time to come......
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