As a kid, we went to Disneyland a lot. Probably more than the average kid from Utah. We went a few times as a family. You know, mom, dad, kids. Those were fun times, but nothing will compare to the Disneyland we knew with our cousins, Mark and Nanci, our little elderly Grandma Ethel, and our Uncle Gary during the winter break from school between Christmas and New Years. We would arrive at Disneyland early (after eating a nice breakfast at IHOP across the street.) We would enter the magical land and the day would pass in a blur. A blur of churros, splash mountain, yellow ponchos with Mickey Mouse on the back, a few jokes about how "it didn't matter horn," and Pirates of the Caribbean (complete with Uncle Gary and my dad doing pirate impressions). We would complain about taking time out of our ride schedule to see a show or two with the adults, but would meet on the bridge for our obligatory "check in" right when we were supposed to. My grandma sat in her rented wheel chair and took in the sights. We ran from ride to ride getting in as many rides as we possibly could and figured out that one of the best times to ride was while everyone else was watching the firework show -- we had seen it enough and could easily bypass the fire spectacle for an extra, line-free trip through Space Mountain. Oh, to be a kid again!
This time to Disneyland was VERY different. Not bad. Just different. We arrived early, after driving up from San Diego. Evan slept in the car on the way up. When we got there, we drove around and around looking for parking. What happened to the parking lot we used to park in? The one with little pictures of Tinkerbell and Daisey? GONE. We found the HUGE parking garage, followed the line of cars to our spot, woke up Evan, grabbed jackets, healthy snacks, the stroller, the camera, and the bag. So much stuff for one little guy! After parking we were on a snazzy little train to the park. We got the front entrance, paid over $200 dollars for two adults and one 1 year old, and were ready for the fun to begin. As we entered the park we soon were informed that it was the "world premier" of Pirates of the Caribbean 4. At first we were a little disappointed that the park would be closing early, but soon decided for a glimpse of Johnny Dep, it might not be so bad (who, by the way, we saw up close and personal as we waited our turn to leave the park!)
After arriving, we decided that we needed to head over to California Adventure to get our "fast passes" to see the World of Color show at 9:00 pm. (I know, us, the kids who hated the shows were now going to subject our kids to the same thing). We waited in a line, got the fast passes and headed to the Monster's Inc ride. Evan was not impressed and almost started crying a few times. Hmmm. We were in for a long day if he hated this ride. No bumps. No fast turns. Just a smooth ride through the scenes of the show. He is only one, so we gave him a break and took him to the Handy Manny show. HE LOVED IT. Clapping and smiling the whole time. After that, we headed back to Disneyland again and before I knew it, I had ridden three rides (Pirates, Thunder Mountain and Matterhorn), taken Evan on Small World twice, and it was almost time to go.
This was small world the first time. He is a hard one to please!
After a really long day, he finally fell asleep in the stroller (but only after we gave him Lyla's binky in a state of desperation!). I walked around Disneyland with him in the stroller, ate my Churro and took in the sights.
When he woke up, we tried to give him the healthy pear snack we had packed for him, but when he saw ALL the cousins eating Mickey shaped ice cream bars he cried and cried and until we gave in. I guess I would have been pretty mad at my mom if my cousins got chocolate and I got a semi-squished pear.
To Steve's dismay, he didn't share any of it -- Ate the whole thing himself.
The day was not complete w/out the family pic in front of Mickey.
He loved the pringle can probably the most of anything all day.
We left after the "World of Color" show, which, by the way, I could have gone without. The show might have been good if I had a different attitude. Steve and I were tired. We had sore feet and tired backs, one small tired guy with us and a long drive back to San Diego. All in all, it was a good day. I loved sharing this part of my world with Steve again (the first time he met my entire family was actually on a trip to Disneyland), and even more so with Evan. I know HE won't remember it, but I will. :)
1 comment:
I seem to recall going with you too. Remember our super awesome KMart hats and staying with Rosa and Gu?
Post a Comment