"Dad, one day I'm going to be a daddy like you. Then we can be Matching Daddies!"
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Disneyland - Day 1
We had been counting this day down for weeks. We were all so excited to finally be going to Disneyland - especially once we heard of the warm weather that awaited us there. My mom and dad were so nice, and volunteered to take Jack for us. For this, I am so grateful. After a few sad moments saying goodbye to our Prince Jack, it was time to get on the plane. I had some worries about how Cole would do, but he was awesome! He loved his first airplane ride.
Here he is looking about 15 years old.
We touched down, checked into the hotel, and got on the shuttle to Disneyland. Our first day ended up being somewhat frustrating. First, of all, let me say that I never expected it to be slow, but there were SO many people. Every ride had at least a 30 minute wait. It was insane! Also, we had a horrible time with rides breaking down. We got up to the front of Splash Mountain, only to have it stop running. The same thing happened at Autotopia. Cole had been SO excited to ride it. We waited in line for almost 20 minutes (with fast passes), and were at the very front of the line when they shut it down. He was so upset and disappointed.
In spite of that, we did get on some other rides, and had fun anyways.
Darin and Cindy were so nice, and volunteered to take Cole back to the hotel so we could ride some bigger rides. Bryce and I packed as much in as we could, and hit our favorites.
Not too bad of a start, I'd say!
Here he is looking about 15 years old.
We touched down, checked into the hotel, and got on the shuttle to Disneyland. Our first day ended up being somewhat frustrating. First, of all, let me say that I never expected it to be slow, but there were SO many people. Every ride had at least a 30 minute wait. It was insane! Also, we had a horrible time with rides breaking down. We got up to the front of Splash Mountain, only to have it stop running. The same thing happened at Autotopia. Cole had been SO excited to ride it. We waited in line for almost 20 minutes (with fast passes), and were at the very front of the line when they shut it down. He was so upset and disappointed.In spite of that, we did get on some other rides, and had fun anyways.
Darin and Cindy were so nice, and volunteered to take Cole back to the hotel so we could ride some bigger rides. Bryce and I packed as much in as we could, and hit our favorites.Not too bad of a start, I'd say!
Day 2
Our first full day at Disneyland was indeed a full one. The kids were so excited they took to dancing around like maniacs.
We were at the park at 7:30, ready to go in at 8:00. The crowds were crazy. Everyone had this wild look in their eyes, and we all had the same thought - this was it. Any ride that you really wanted to go on and not wait an obscene amount of time, you best do it RIGHT NOW. Then came the pressure - which ride should we pick? We better not waste that first ride!
After our horrible experience at Autotopia the night before, we decided to try for that first. The gates opened, and we took off. We basically ran all the way over...to be told the ride didn't open until 10:00. WTF?! Not even the fast passes were open. So, instead we went on the Finding Nemo ride, and then spent a lot of time in Fantasyland riding pretty much everything.
We then purchased the two best things of the whole trip. Cole's Lightning McQueen Mickey Mouse hat, and the coveted bubble gun. Shan had recommended this to me, and I thank her dearly for that. It made waiting in lines SO much better.
Finally, we made it to Autotopia, and Cole had the time of his life. Riding with him was a little like being in a pin-ball machine, but he screamed with laughter the entire time. It was totally worth it to see how happy that ride made him.
We also rode the Jungle Cruise. I mention this not because I am unaware of how lame that ride is, but it is the source of our favorite picture from this trip. The look on Cole's face never fails to make me giggle.
Our legs were tired and our feet hurt, but it was a fabulous day - such good memories!
We were at the park at 7:30, ready to go in at 8:00. The crowds were crazy. Everyone had this wild look in their eyes, and we all had the same thought - this was it. Any ride that you really wanted to go on and not wait an obscene amount of time, you best do it RIGHT NOW. Then came the pressure - which ride should we pick? We better not waste that first ride!After our horrible experience at Autotopia the night before, we decided to try for that first. The gates opened, and we took off. We basically ran all the way over...to be told the ride didn't open until 10:00. WTF?! Not even the fast passes were open. So, instead we went on the Finding Nemo ride, and then spent a lot of time in Fantasyland riding pretty much everything.
We then purchased the two best things of the whole trip. Cole's Lightning McQueen Mickey Mouse hat, and the coveted bubble gun. Shan had recommended this to me, and I thank her dearly for that. It made waiting in lines SO much better.
Finally, we made it to Autotopia, and Cole had the time of his life. Riding with him was a little like being in a pin-ball machine, but he screamed with laughter the entire time. It was totally worth it to see how happy that ride made him.
We also rode the Jungle Cruise. I mention this not because I am unaware of how lame that ride is, but it is the source of our favorite picture from this trip. The look on Cole's face never fails to make me giggle.
Our legs were tired and our feet hurt, but it was a fabulous day - such good memories!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Day 3
We started bright and early on Friday at California Adventure. The big kids were able to do a quick ride on California Screamin before the lines got too big, and then we braved the line for Toy Story. 45 minutes. Was it worth it? Um...no comment.
Thanks to Aunt Cindy, Bryce and I were able to go on Tower of Terror again. 
We spent quite a bit of time in California Adventure with Cole. Unfortunately, Bug's Land was really cute, but it would have been better if we had started there. The rides were a little smaller than the regular rides, so he was basically "Meh" about the whole thing. He did love the Jellyfish ride, and a few others over on the pier, so that was good. 
Later that afternoon, we went to Downtown Disney for a little shopping. It had been another long day, but we thought we could make it to the fireworks that night. We went back to Disneyland Park and tried to fill up the time. We rode the cars again...
We made it over to Toon Town so Cole could "officially" ride his first roller coaster...
And went on the Teacups. We knew we were pushing it as we were waiting in line and Cole said, "Why are we going on the teacups?" We tried to use the bribe of a treat to keep him awake, but the line (YES, another line!) to get a cookie was so long that this is what happened instead:
At last, we gave in. We rode the shuttle back to the hotel and fell into bed. The next morning, I woke up so excited to go back...only to realize it was time to go home! I truly believe that is the "magic" of Disney. Knowing that going back involves lines and lines of people and outrageous prices for only a few moments of awesome rush, and being totally excited to do it again.
We had a wonderful first trip with Cole, and I was so proud of how well he did. He was willing to try pretty much everything, which is really saying something for such a cautious kid. I think we'll have to give this whole traveling with kids thing another try!
Thanks to Aunt Cindy, Bryce and I were able to go on Tower of Terror again. 
We spent quite a bit of time in California Adventure with Cole. Unfortunately, Bug's Land was really cute, but it would have been better if we had started there. The rides were a little smaller than the regular rides, so he was basically "Meh" about the whole thing. He did love the Jellyfish ride, and a few others over on the pier, so that was good. 
Later that afternoon, we went to Downtown Disney for a little shopping. It had been another long day, but we thought we could make it to the fireworks that night. We went back to Disneyland Park and tried to fill up the time. We rode the cars again...
We made it over to Toon Town so Cole could "officially" ride his first roller coaster...
And went on the Teacups. We knew we were pushing it as we were waiting in line and Cole said, "Why are we going on the teacups?" We tried to use the bribe of a treat to keep him awake, but the line (YES, another line!) to get a cookie was so long that this is what happened instead:
At last, we gave in. We rode the shuttle back to the hotel and fell into bed. The next morning, I woke up so excited to go back...only to realize it was time to go home! I truly believe that is the "magic" of Disney. Knowing that going back involves lines and lines of people and outrageous prices for only a few moments of awesome rush, and being totally excited to do it again. We had a wonderful first trip with Cole, and I was so proud of how well he did. He was willing to try pretty much everything, which is really saying something for such a cautious kid. I think we'll have to give this whole traveling with kids thing another try!
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