Disneyland

On Monday, August 15th we took the kids to Disneyland.  Last time we went was June 2005 just before Princess Sparkley turned 3 (and cost money).  Buddy was 14 months old.  He napped in the stroller a lot.  PS was scared of Cinderella and her giant mice. 

The Sword in the Stone

The Dumbo Ride

The Casey Jr. Circus Train

We started with some of the classic Disneyland rides that wouldn't be big rollercoasters: Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride, Pinocchio, Snow White, etc.  Our kids were scared of them.  It turns out they
are fine on scary roller coasters, but they don't like the thematic scary story rides.  The Matterhorn was shut down.  We missed Peter Pan and the Alice in Wonderland rides due to crazy long lines.

 The Teacups

It's A Small World

Quote from B at the end of the ride: 

"Yeah, that song never gets old" (said with heavy sarcasm).

Assorted pictures.

 Toontown Rollercoaster

PS meets Tinkerbell.  Her line was about an hour shorter than Rapunzel's line (which was 90 minutes).

Jedi Training Academy
I was hoping my kids would be brave and volunteer for the Jedi Training Academy.  They didn't.  But Darth Maul came over (bottom right picture) and tapped his double sided light sabre at the blue line Little Guy was supposed to be behind and gave him menacing looks.  Little Guy stood his ground.  He's a big fan of both Darth Maul and Darth Vader.  Another little kid a few feet away went running as soon as the stage came up and he saw Darth Vader.  Not Little Guy.

Autotopia

PS and B went in one car and B drove.  Buddy, Little Guy and
I squished in another car.  I was in charge of gas, Buddy steered.

Star Tours
We were lucky that Little Guy was just tall enough to ride Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Star Tours was especially exciting since he's a big Star Wars fan.  Extra exciting, when they select a random audience member to be the "rebel spy" on our ship and put their picture up on the screen, they picked Little Guy.  I don't think he saw it or realized what we were trying to explain to him, but PS and Buddy thought it was pretty cool.

Random assortment of pictures.  Little Guy did great walking everywhere and getting carried here and there when he'd inform us "I like when people carry me."  We got stuck on the Storybook Land Canal Boats during the fireworks, but our person stopped us in a spot that made it so we could still see the fireworks.

Buzz Lightyear pictures go here, when I find them.

They LOVED Splash Mountain.

 

After the fireworks ended, we had to wait for everything to be reopened again, and then we jumped on the King Arthur Carousel.  Little Guy's mouth open face is a new development on this trip.  He makes it when he's super excited/happy/surprised but a little embarrassed that you are noticing.  At least that's how it seems.  I think partially because he's been surrounded by people who know him (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents) but that are relatively new to him.

In front of the castle at night (but you can't tell) and next to the Walt Disney/Mickey Mouse statue.
Tired and heading to Main Street for souvenirs and then home

 Poor Little Guy.  We left Disneyland to check out the souvenirs on Downtown Disney.  B sat down with sleepy Little Guy and he fell asleep like this standing up.  Poor kid.  We left the park between 11:30 and 12 having arrived a little after 9AM.  We ate breakfast at home, then snacked on applesauce, crackers, teddy grahams and fruit leathers at the park.  Bought Mickey Mouse shaped pretzels for lunch and churros for dinner.  We stopped at In N Out on the way home and B and I had double doubles while the two older kids ate french fries.  Little Guy slept.  Not a super healthy day, but we survived and the food we did buy cost $30+.

Souvenirs
Princess Sparkley: a Disneyland snow globe for her collection,
a Minnie Mouse charm
and the next day at the Disney Outlset store, a Tangled shirt

Buddy:  a Disneyland bus (he's saving the rest of his money for Lego stuff)

Little Guy: a t-shirt with Darth Vader fighting Huey, Duey and Louie and a Sleeping Beauty sword