Disneyland - Wrap Up

What a wonderful family vacation we had this Spring Break. All the time spent planning and preparing was well worth it. Everyone had an enjoyable time. Our drive back to San Diego was uneventful. It wasn't until the wait in the airport, that we saw a flaw in our plans. Due to flight delays, we had to wait in the airport for an additional 4 hours. It was a long time! For our headache we were given flight vouchers for our next trip. The girls slept on the plane and car ride home. And as the saying goes: there is no place like home. Now, time to scrapbook and plan our next family vacation.


Amazing fireworks over the Disney Castle.


The fireworks show lasted longer than we thought, wrapping up our great day at Disney.


The girls enjoying the fireworks.


Campbell fast asleep after a long day at Disneyland.


Cooper fast asleep, dreaming of her day at Disneyland.


California Adventure Park - across from our hotel.


Chad and his girls in front of the Pacific Ocean.


Hello, Pacific Ocean!


Our last adventure in California. A trip to Slater's 50/50. A restaurant that was featured on the Food Network. The menu features "bacon" everything! Including a bacon shake.


A delicious bacon brownie with ice cream.

Disneyland - Sites and Sounds

A trip to Disneyland isn't complete without a visit to all the lands. For just one day, I think we did a pretty good job of making the rounds and doing all we wanted to do. Chad and I are thinking we will take the girls to Disneyworld/Epcot in about 4 years. They should be old enough by then to really enjoy the rides, learn a little, and remember all the fun we have.


Oh, Disneyland! We are so excited to be here.



In front of the Disneyland Train Station. Campbell of course not in the mood for pictures.


The girls in front of the Disneyland castle.


First stop, Mickey's Toon Town.


Adventureland - The Jungle Cruise


Frontierland


Tomorrowland - Autopia


The girls proudly showing off their driver's license from Autopia.


The girls with the Goofy statue at our hotel.

Disneyland

Our day at Disneyland included all of the typical theme park highlights. We were prepared for bad weather, with our change of clothes and rain jackets. We looked the map over and the girls decided they wanted to begin in Mickey's Toon Town. So off we went. The lines weren't too long, but as the day wore on the girls got tired of waiting. Most rides we all went on, with just a few that I sat out of. It's so neat to go back years later and see all the classic rides that have been there for years. All the anticipation of what that ride will bring can now be seen in our kids' faces, just as was in ours all those years ago. We did the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, and all the storybook rides. It was great to people watch, take in the sights, and enjoy being at the park. Lunchtime and snacks all around. (Good that you can get chicken nuggets and ranch anywhere.) We knew we had to squeeze in everything we could that day, and since our girls weren't much for riding the big rides, it all worked out fine. As nighttime approached the air turned cold but we were determined to stay for the fireworks. So huddled together in our rain jackets, under the umbrella, drinking hot cocoa; we all watched the sky light up above the castle. When it was finished it was a long walk back to the hotel, where all of us fell asleep the minute our heads hit our pillows.


The first ride the girls wanted to ride was the trolley. Go figure! We rode down Main Street right up to the Castle.


The girls in front of the whale at the Storybook ride.


The girls driving Mickey's car at Mickey's Toon Town.


Chad braved the Go-Go Gadget Roller Coaster ride with the girls. Waited in line for 30 minutes for a 2 minute ride. It was the girls' favorite ride in the park.


The girls standing in front of the Haunted Mansion. My favorite classic ride.


Chad and the girls on the Jungle Safari boat cruise.


I rode and Campbell drove our car at the Autotopia ride. Look out!


Chad with Cooper driving their car behind us.


The girls opted for a pic in the stationary tea cup. That ride was too much for all of us!


Chad and Campbell in the storybook boat ride.


The girls in a cage on the animal train ride.


Chad and Campbell riding the carousel.

Disneyland - Meet the Characters

We started the morning off with breakfast with the characters. It was a great spread of food and tons of fun for the girls. With music, dancing, and all the favorite characters visiting your table, what could be better! The girls were excited to break open their autograph books and get each character to sign their name. It was so cute to see. Throughout the park that day, there were places and times where you could meet the characters. We tried to meet all that we could. The weather started out nice and sunny, and later the clouds rolled in and a few rain drops fell. All in all the autograph books were filled, the snapshots were many, and the memories will last a lifetime.


Minnie Mouse


Daisy Duck


Stitch


Pluto


Goofy - the girls' favorite character!


Mickey Mouse


Winnie the Pooh


Tigger


Aladdin

Downtown Disney - Paradise Pier Hotel

On Wednesday we traveled to Anaheim. We arrived early so we took some time to visit Downtown Disney. Filled with shops and restaurants. It was a nice stop before hitting the hotel and park. I was feeling sick so my mood wasn't the greatest, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the moments. It was great to finally be at Disney. To be able to look out our hotel and see the park. To see Disney characters everywhere we went. The girls were bouncing off the walls. The weather turned cooler and rain set in. So we went to Disneyland, got through the gates and rode the train around the park. Then we decided it was too cold and wet and headed back to the hotel. Chad took the girls down to dinner, the arcade, and the movie theater; all while I rested in the hotel. It wasn't the ideal first day at Disney, but still we were there.


We must be close now!


Downtown Disney. Chad and his girls.


The girls at the fountain in Downtown Disney.


Cooper at Disney 365 in front of the Jonas Bros exhibit.


Campbell sitting for the caricature.


Cooper sitting for the caricature.


The completed caricature! Red puppy included.


Our Disney Hotel. Paradise Pier. Right across the street from California Adventure Park.


Our hotel.


We were greeted with gifts from Aunt Kelly & Uncle Pat.


Gifts for mom and dad.


Yay! Officially at Disney.


Earned her Mickey ears!