Last week we took a family vacation to California where we went to Disneyland, California Adventures, and Laguna Beach. This was our kids' first time! We left early on the morning of the 13th and drove the whole trip to Anaheim. The kids were amazing. With the stops we took, it took us about 10 hours to get there. I was so amazed at how well all three boys did on that long drive. They were so excited that when we got to our hotel room, Isaac started putting his pajamas on right away so he could go to bed - we hadn't even eaten dinner yet! :) Grandma Chappell and Josh's niece Kenya flew in that night as they were going to Disneyland with us to help out.
The next morning we woke up early and hit Disneyland first thing. We were able to get a guest assistance card for Bryce since he is tube-fed which allowed us to treat his stroller as a wheelchair. It helped SO much, as he wouldn't have handled so many of those long lines very well. We got there early enough that we were able to get on Space Mountain without waiting in line. And yes, I got brave and went on Space Mt. for the first time. Er... I won't be going again. Hehe. The boys had fun going on the Buzz Lightyear ride, then we headed over to New Orleans Square. We went on Pirates of the Caribbean - one of our all-time favorites. The boys loved it except Parker said he didn't like the "falling-down parts" (the waterfalls). LOL Next we went on the Haunted Mansion - another favorite. We all had fun except Isaac who came out of the ride just crying his eyes out. It really scared him for some reason. Next we watched Josh and Kenya go on Splash Mountain then we headed to the Bengal Barbecue for lunch. Bryce was able to catch a nap in his stroller while we ate lunch and went on Jungle Cruise. We then looped back around toward Fantasyland. We went on a few rides there - teacups, Dumbo, and the carousel, and then to the Submarine Voyage. Then we decided to head to California Adventures before they closed. In California Adventures, Josh and Kenya headed for California Screamin' while Tara and I took the boys on some rides. We went on Monsters Inc, watched a parade, and then headed to Bug's Land where we went on the caterpillar train. After that we met back up with Josh as they were unable to get on the ride before it closed for the night (they closed early that day). We headed back to Disneyland and had dinner at the Western Horshoe in Frontierland. After that it started getting chilly and the boys were tired, so Grandma took them back to the motel room while Josh, Kenya, and I went on a few more rides. We went on the Matterhorn bobsleds (Yikes! That was the scariest ride I went on!), Thunder Mountain railroad, and Indiana Jones (that was fun). I also had to go on Pirates one more time. Oh and Josh had to go on the teacups again. :) After that we headed back to the motel.
The second day we again woke up early and started out at Disneyland. We started out in Fantasyland so Josh could take Parker on the bobsleds. Parker actually liked the ride except for the Abominable snowman. LOL He's braver than me! While they were on the bobsleds Tara and I took Isaac and Bryce on the Pinnochio and Snow White rides. When we were all back together we went on Peter Pan and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, then went on the carousel again. After that we went back to California Adventures so Josh could go on California Screamin'. They ended up going on it 3 times! Meanwhile, we took the boys to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail where they got to climb around and walk through trees and hollow logs. We met Josh and Kenya and headed to the Pacific Wharf Cafe for some lunch. Afterward Josh took Parker on the Sun Wheel and then we went back to Bug's Land to go on the Ladybugs. After that Tara and I took the boys back to Disneyland while Josh and Kenya tried to get on Grizzly River Run again (they went on that yesterday). We took the boys on the Winnie the Pooh ride (cute!) then met Josh & Kenya in Toon Town where they went on Gadget's Go-Coaster with Isaac and Parker. I thought for sure that one would scare Isaac, but he actually loved it! We went to Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin then went to Cafe Orleans where Tara treated us to dinner. Afterward Josh and Kenya headed back to hit California Screamin' a couple more times and we took the boys back to Toon Town as Isaac just HAD to go to Mickey's house. :) We went to everything there was to see in Toon Town and the boys got to meet Mickey Mouse and have their picture taken with him! After that we met Josh again and he and Kenya went on Thunder Mountain then we took the boys back to the motel while Tara and Kenya went on a few more rides.
The next day we slept in a little later then got ready and checked out of our hotel. We said our goodbyes to Tara and Kenya (they were flying home), and headed to Laguna Beach! We went to the beach and played in the sand for a bit, then started our long drive home. We decided to take two days to go home so we just drove to Buffalo Bill's in Primm and spent the night there. The next morning we drove home! It was such a fun vacation!
The next morning we woke up early and hit Disneyland first thing. We were able to get a guest assistance card for Bryce since he is tube-fed which allowed us to treat his stroller as a wheelchair. It helped SO much, as he wouldn't have handled so many of those long lines very well. We got there early enough that we were able to get on Space Mountain without waiting in line. And yes, I got brave and went on Space Mt. for the first time. Er... I won't be going again. Hehe. The boys had fun going on the Buzz Lightyear ride, then we headed over to New Orleans Square. We went on Pirates of the Caribbean - one of our all-time favorites. The boys loved it except Parker said he didn't like the "falling-down parts" (the waterfalls). LOL Next we went on the Haunted Mansion - another favorite. We all had fun except Isaac who came out of the ride just crying his eyes out. It really scared him for some reason. Next we watched Josh and Kenya go on Splash Mountain then we headed to the Bengal Barbecue for lunch. Bryce was able to catch a nap in his stroller while we ate lunch and went on Jungle Cruise. We then looped back around toward Fantasyland. We went on a few rides there - teacups, Dumbo, and the carousel, and then to the Submarine Voyage. Then we decided to head to California Adventures before they closed. In California Adventures, Josh and Kenya headed for California Screamin' while Tara and I took the boys on some rides. We went on Monsters Inc, watched a parade, and then headed to Bug's Land where we went on the caterpillar train. After that we met back up with Josh as they were unable to get on the ride before it closed for the night (they closed early that day). We headed back to Disneyland and had dinner at the Western Horshoe in Frontierland. After that it started getting chilly and the boys were tired, so Grandma took them back to the motel room while Josh, Kenya, and I went on a few more rides. We went on the Matterhorn bobsleds (Yikes! That was the scariest ride I went on!), Thunder Mountain railroad, and Indiana Jones (that was fun). I also had to go on Pirates one more time. Oh and Josh had to go on the teacups again. :) After that we headed back to the motel.
The second day we again woke up early and started out at Disneyland. We started out in Fantasyland so Josh could take Parker on the bobsleds. Parker actually liked the ride except for the Abominable snowman. LOL He's braver than me! While they were on the bobsleds Tara and I took Isaac and Bryce on the Pinnochio and Snow White rides. When we were all back together we went on Peter Pan and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, then went on the carousel again. After that we went back to California Adventures so Josh could go on California Screamin'. They ended up going on it 3 times! Meanwhile, we took the boys to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail where they got to climb around and walk through trees and hollow logs. We met Josh and Kenya and headed to the Pacific Wharf Cafe for some lunch. Afterward Josh took Parker on the Sun Wheel and then we went back to Bug's Land to go on the Ladybugs. After that Tara and I took the boys back to Disneyland while Josh and Kenya tried to get on Grizzly River Run again (they went on that yesterday). We took the boys on the Winnie the Pooh ride (cute!) then met Josh & Kenya in Toon Town where they went on Gadget's Go-Coaster with Isaac and Parker. I thought for sure that one would scare Isaac, but he actually loved it! We went to Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin then went to Cafe Orleans where Tara treated us to dinner. Afterward Josh and Kenya headed back to hit California Screamin' a couple more times and we took the boys back to Toon Town as Isaac just HAD to go to Mickey's house. :) We went to everything there was to see in Toon Town and the boys got to meet Mickey Mouse and have their picture taken with him! After that we met Josh again and he and Kenya went on Thunder Mountain then we took the boys back to the motel while Tara and Kenya went on a few more rides.
The next day we slept in a little later then got ready and checked out of our hotel. We said our goodbyes to Tara and Kenya (they were flying home), and headed to Laguna Beach! We went to the beach and played in the sand for a bit, then started our long drive home. We decided to take two days to go home so we just drove to Buffalo Bill's in Primm and spent the night there. The next morning we drove home! It was such a fun vacation!
1 comment:
Looks like you had a great trip. I love Disneyland, even though we have only taken our kids twice. I'm glad you all had such a great time. Lisa
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