We surprised the boys with a trip to Disneyland over Fall break. And when I say “surprised”, I mean “SURPRISED!” They didn’t even know we were going anywhere until we woke them up at 5:30 a.m. to head to the airport. Keeping it a secret was TOUGH, but we managed to do it! When we woke them up, Steven’s response was “This better be good. I was having a good snooze!” We waited until we had checked in for our flights and were inside the terminal before we told them where we were headed. I didn’t get the shrieking, jumping up and down response I was hoping for, but they were excited nonetheless. I think they were more confused than anything else!
Waking the boys up early for our surprise!
We booked Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and a shuttle bus from the airport so we didn’t have to rent a car and worry about driving around Los Angeles. I’ll take a moment to say that unlike Orlando, people are NOT heading to LA just to go to Disney. You walk off a plane in Orlando and Mickey Mouse is practically greeting you at the gate. In LA, so not the case. After we figured out where the shuttle bus picked up, we stood around for what felt like an hour before an all-white bus showed up and took our bags. None of that typical Disney customer service in California. We spent the entire 30 minute ride wondering if we were even on the right bus.
But fortunately, we were. Once we stopped at the first resort, a Disney representative came on the bus to take our vouchers and we could finally relax a little. Once we checked into the resort, we finally saw some of that Disney hospitality! We were greeted with “1st visit” buttons, a picture of Mickey and his friends, several postcards (Jack Sparrow postcard, anyone? Anyone?) and lots of friendly information on the resort. We were pretty early, but our room was ready, so we were able to check right in.
The room itself was pretty nice, but storage was LACKING! We barely had room for everything, and we only had two suitcases between the four of us. Our room was on the ground floor, with a patio. Our patio faced Disney’s California Adventure Park, specifically the Goofy’s Flying School roller coaster, so it was fun to sit on the patio and watch the people screaming on the coaster. We spent that first day exploring the resort (three pools!) and the nearby Downtown Disney. It was really nice to be walking distance to everything, including the two Disney parks! We played in the pool for awhile (but the water was FREEZING!), had dinner and we were all in bed by 8:00 to get ready for our first day at the park the next day!
Then, around 10:00 p.m., the fireworks started! We couldn’t see them from our room, but we could certainly hear them! I swear, it sounded like a giant was walking around outside! Fireworks aren’t nearly as enjoyable if you don’t get to watch them, and you are trying to sleep. Luckily, the boys slept right through them.
Because we were staying at a Disney resort, we were able to get into one of the parks one hour early each day. Tuesday was our day to get into Disneyland early, which we did. We forced the boys to wake up and walked over the the park at 7:00 a.m. What they don’t tell you is that there really isn’t anything to do for that hour! All the “lands” are roped off, and there was only one ride we could get on, but at least it gave us an opportunity to take some pictures before it was too crowded.
The boys were SUPER EXCITED to go to the Haunted Mansion, so as soon as the ropes dropped, we headed for New Orleans Square. They completely redid the house with Nightmare Before Christmas decorations. The boys love that movie, so they were so excited to see it. The line was almost non-existant at that time, so we got right in. Unfortunately, Henry was scared out of his mind and refused to go inside after that spooky room at the beginning, so he and I headed out of the ride while Chris and Steven stayed on. We met them at the exit and Steven was TERRIFIED. Chris said he trembled for the entire ride! FAIL!
Now Chris and I were worried! If they were super excited for the Haunted Mansion and it scared them, would we be able to get them on ANY ride? We decided to pick the most kid-friendly sounding ride in the area, which was The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We decided NOT to try out any roller coasters at that time, but we took the train to Fantasy Land and went on It’s a Small World (which Henry was CRAZY about) and then headed to Toon Town where the boys were able to meet Goofy, Mickey and Minnie! And we were able to get the boys to try out their first coaster, which was Gadget’s Go Coaster. We were also able to squeeze in a trip on the Jungle Cruise and the Columbia, and both boys decided to try Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and loved it! Then we headed over to the Dole stand so I could get a Dole Whip! Mmmmm…love those things! After that, we headed back to the hotel to rest for a few hours, knowing we would be checking out Disney’s California Adventure that evening.
That night, Disneyland was closing early, and opening for their Halloween party. We assumed that would be the perfect time to go to California Adventure, because we figured everyone would be at Disneyland for the party. Again…FAIL. California Adventure was crazy crowded! We waited 30 minutes to get on the Goofy’s Flying School roller coaster and another 45 minutes to go on Mickey’s Fun Wheel (the giant ferris wheel.) After that ride, Steven really wanted to go on the HUGE California Screamin’ roller coaster. Henry did not, so we headed over to Cars Land and waited another 45 minutes for Luigi’s Flying Tires, a ride that lasted about 30 seconds. Seriously. Steven LOVED California Screamin’. How the kids had that much patience to stand in lines for so long is beyond me.
The next day (Wednesday), we were planning to spend the entire day at California Adventure. We were able to get into the park one hour early, at 8:00. Our resort had a guests-only entrance to that park, and by 7:00 a.m., a line was already formed! We decided not to wait in line for an hour, and instead headed to downtown Disney to let the boys walk around, before heading in the main entrance. Based on advice from Disney employees, our plan was to get into the park an hour early and I would wait in the Fast Pass line for the Radiator Springs Racers ride. Even though we could get in at 8:00, they don’t start handing out fast passes until 9:00. So I waited in line, while Chris took the boys on a few rides.
I did not understand the crowds at California Adventure. Even the crowds during our early “magic hour” were insane! I realize that Cars Land just opened, and it is awesome, but holy cow! Pure craziness! That park was not enjoyable at all. Every ride we went on was at least an hour wait, except, surprisingly, the California Screamin’ roller coaster, which was only a ten minute wait. Steven wanted to go on it again, and Henry wanted to try it too. While he was attempting to put on a brave face, we don’t think Henry liked it at all.
When it was finally our Fast Pass time for the Radiator Springs Racers, we headed over to Cars Land, fought through the crowds to get to the end of the street where the ride is, only to find it was closed due to technical difficulties. We did that three times before it finally was open again. We were all cranky and tired and annoyed with the crowds. Once we finally got into the Fast Pass line, which, by the way, was still a 30 minute wait!), we stood in line for 15 minutes and Steven decides that he really needs to go to the bathroom! By the time he and I got back from the bathroom, Chris and Henry were already off the ride, so Steven and I had to wait in line AGAIN! So frustrating! It is, however, an awesome ride!
Henry really wanted to go on the Grizzly River Run, which is a water ride, so we had saved that for last, thinking we would get wet. Again, another hour long wait, but they made a friend in line, so it wasn’t that bad. It was a fun ride. We decided to let them run around the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (which ties in with the Wilderness Explorers from the movie Up) to burn off any energy they might have left. That ended up taking longer than we thought, but they had so much fun climbing, swinging and sliding that it was worth it! At the end, we got to meet Russell from Up, so they were happy!
We headed back to the hotel to rest and eat before returning to the park for the World of Color water show. As soon as we got to our designated area (again, you need a Fast Pass for it!), Henry promptly fell asleep and stayed asleep until the show started. The show was pretty awesome, so I’m glad we toughed it out!
Our last day, Thursday, we were able to get into Disneyland early again. But, it was pouring rain, so we decided to eat breakfast at the Storytellers Cafe instead. The boys were able to meet a lot of Disney characters there, and it was nice to eat a meal that wasn’t completely deep-fried, so again…worth it!
We all had our list of “must-dos” for our last day at the park and Space Mountain was first on our list. I’m not sure the boys were crazy about the dark ride. Star Tours, on the other hand, was AWESOME! We all loved that! We also went on Astro Blasters, Autopia, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (they loved it!), and took a ride on the Monorail. We squeezed in another It’s a Small World ride before taking the train back to New Orleans Square so I could go to the Haunted House. Chris took the boys to have lunch, while I waited in line. The boys refused to even think about going on it! After the ride, we saw Jack Skellington signing autographs, so the boys were excited to meet him! We did a few more rides, saw a few more shows before deciding to give Splash Mountain a try. The boys loved it!
But now we were quickly running out of time. We only had a few hours before the park closed, and we needed to change out of our (now wet!) clothes before waiting for the parade to start. We realized we never even made it to the rides at Fantasyland, but the boys were determined to get Build-a-Bears as their souvenirs. We went back to the hotel, changed into dry clothes and went back to the park to find a spot for the parade. The parade was really awesome!
After that, the boys made their Build-a-Bears (Steven made a Disney themed dog named “Fluffy Disney” and Henry made a wizard bear named “Wizzy”) and we finally, FINALLY! turned in for the night.
Friday we headed back to Colorado. Overall, we had a great, but exhausting time! We loved surprising the boys with the trip, but we were just sort of shocked by how expensive and crowded everything was. In theory, Disneyland was supposed to be a “Ghost Town” this week in October, according to the crowd calendars we researched, but this was just not the case. Disneyland was definitely not as crowded as California Adventure, and I think the new Cars Land is the reason. Probably the one thing I was disappointed with was not getting to see any of the fireworks shows. They only run Friday-Monday, and our first day at the park was Tuesday. They did have fireworks on Tuesday night, but it was as part of the Halloween party, which you had to buy separate tickets for. But, we did get to see the World of Color show and the parade. Staying at the resort was great, especially since they were so close to everything and we could walk every where! (Two weeks later, my calves are STILL sore from all the walking!) Not having a car was one less thing to worry about, and it was great for being able to take a break in the middle of the day. Having gone on a Disney cruise, I definitely prefer the cruise because it’s just more relaxing! I think the boys will be teenagers before we think about another trip to one of the parks! But, they are only kids once, and they had a great time!
-
-
Waking the boys up early for our surprise!
-
-
“This better be good! I was having a good snooze!”
-
-
Grand Californian Resort
-
-
The view of Disney’s California Adventure from one of the pools
-
-
Steven & Chris at lunch
-
-
Henry’s excited!
-
-
Michelle & Henry
-
-
What a surprise! Steven’s first meal at Disney is mac & cheese!
-
-
Steven at Downtown Disney
-
-
Henry at Downtown Disney
-
-
Downtown Disney. These trees were so cool.
-
-
The view from our room
-
-
The boys on a simulated roller coaster in the arcade. Based on their expressions, this does not bode well!
-
-
Disneyland!
-
-
-
-
What’s the fastest way to the Haunted Mansion?
-
-
All decorated for Halloween
-
-
The castle is….not as grand as Disney World’s!
-
-
Michelle & Steven on our first ride, the Astro Orbiters
-
-
Chris & Henry getting ready for take-off!
-
-
-
-
The Goz family!
-
-
Jack Skellington took over decorating at the Haunted Mansion!
-
-
-
-
SOOOOO excited to go on the Haunted Mansion
-
-
Right before Henry lost his nerve! No Haunted Mansion for this guy!
-
-
Steven after the Haunted Mansion. He was terrified!
-
-
-
-
-
Goofy!
-
-
Mickey Mouse
-
-
Toon Town
-
-
Minnie Mouse
-
-
Riding on the Columbia
-
-
-
Cool decorations for Halloween!
-
-
DOLE WHIP!
-
-
Now at California Adventure. Bubbles are apparently the most entertaining thing!
-
-
Waiting in line….
-
-
…more waiting…
-
-
Flo’s V8 Cafe at Cars Land
-
-
Disney’s California Adventure. These are the “early” crowds!
-
-
The “early” crowd. This was insane. It pretty much stayed like this all day!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Donald Duck
-
-
Us on California Screamin’
-
-
More crowds at Radiator Springs Racers
-
-
-
Phineas and Ferb!
-
-
Green Army! One of the best things about California Adventure was the constant stream of entertainment!
-
-
-
Chris and the boys at Radiator Springs
-
-
Radiator Springs Racers ride. I mean, really now!
-
-
Me and boys…the beginning of everyone getting grumpy
-
-
For a total wait of two hours, the Radiator Springs Racers ride was AWESOME!
-
-
Tow Mater
-
-
LIGHTNING!
-
-
Better moods=cotton candy
-
-
-
at the Wilderness Explorers Challenge Trail
-
-
This was so much fun!
-
-
And the boys participated! Here they are becoming Senior Wilderness Explorers
-
-
-
Meeting Russell!
-
-
Henry fast asleep at World of Color
-
-
-
World of Color
-
-
-
-
Brer Bear at Storyteller’s Cafe
-
-
You gonna eat all that, Henry?
-
-
-
With Dale
-
-
I don’t know who this guy was
-
-
With Meeko (from Pocahontas)
-
-
-
Final day at Disneyland
-
-
Star Tours was AWESOME!
-
-
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters
-
-
churros!
-
-
Finding Nemo submarine ride
-
-
with Jack Skellington and Sally!
-
-
Awwww…
-
-
Chris was determined to make the funniest faces on the rides!
-
-
-
-
-
-
Goodbye, crowds! I will NOT miss you!
-
-
At Build-a-bear. Steven makes Fluffy
-
-
The boys clean Fluffy up
-
-
Henry planned on making a RC car at Riderz, but couldn’t resist the fluffiness
-
-
Prepping Wizzy to go home
-
-
Of all the souvenirs they could choose from, they choose stuffed animals!
-
-
Someone’s tired!
thegozes 