Party of Five - Five Days at Disneyland Resort May 15-19 2010 *complete!*

[momto2nenas]

We're back! Getting back into the swing of things at home and feeling that all too familiar "Disneyland Homesickness" so thought it was best to keep the trip alive and jump right into my trip report.

You can read my PTR Here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2441802).

We booked our trip through Costco Travel with the 3 for 5 deal and we couldn't wait to spend 5 days in the Parks since our previous trips have all been for 3 days only.

The night before we left I started feeling a little under the weather, a scratchy throat, body aches, you know -sick. So NOT the best way to start a trip but I told myself it was just a cold coming on and that wasn't going to stop us from doing the LAND for 5 days!

Saturday, May 15 dawned bright and early and we were up and 'em to get to the airport for our 9:30am flight from San Antonio to LAX. I slept as much as I could on the flight while DH took care of our 3 girls. They are good travelers and we have the airplanes down so everything went well during the flight.

We landed in LAX, collected our bags and went out to catch the most beautiful shuttle bus there is, the Disneyland Express! (You'll notice a lack of pictures our first 2 days compared to my usuals... I was sick!) We didn't even wait 5 minutes and the bus arrived, it was right around 11am. We made it to the Fairfield Inn right at 12noon. I had called ahead a few days before to request a ground floor, closest to the street room with a baby crib. And our room was READY at Noon! We were so thankful for that.

[DizNee Luver]

Sick????? OH NO!!!!! I hope it didn't totally slow you down for your trip....looking forward to see how it all went!!

[chickyann]

sorry you started off your trip sick, hope you got better quickly popcorn::

[momto2nenas]

So we get checked into our hotel nice and early, its a great room, the very last room on the ground floor facing the pool. We literally are 5 steps from the parking lot and 5 steps CLOSER to Disneyland :goodvibes . It proved to work out perfectly for us, if only that darn pool wasn't so tempting to my children. They whined and complained the entire first day about going swimming. HELLO ungrateful children, we are taking you to Disneyland today not going swimming when its only 70 degrees outside!

We were hungry and needed to fuel ourselves before hitting the park. I love Mimi's and it was right there in the parking lot of our hotel (next to Millie's) PLUS I had a $10 off coupon for my birthday to use. Only too bad my throat was now hurting so bad I could barely swallow. I ended up nibbling on my food and drinking hot water. I wonder what the server thought when I ordered hot water 2 different times?! I actually ended up filling the mug with salt and going in the restroom to gargle it hoping it would help with my throat.

The best medicine though was still right across the street and calling our names! I popped an 800mg Motrin (leftover from the birth of my daughter last July, lol!) and we were headed to those beautiful gates. (Memory lapse here...are they GREEN or black? I want to say green...)

It was close to 2pm and as soon as we heard the music playing from California Adventure side I think I started smiling for the first time that day. Meanwhile my brat children (said in jest, I promise they are really darlings...:rolleyes1) were still saying "We want to go swimming". Well what SMELLS more beautiful than a swimming pool?! Pirates of the Carribean! We declared that our first stop as we entered Disneyland!

We entered through the left tunnel and I snapped the traditional photo:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/002.jpg

LOVE that quote!

DH ran into City Hall to get DD3 her "First Visit" button and also my Birthday button for later on in the trip. While waiting we ran into this big white duck that we had never met "in real life" before! Yay a Disneyland first, great way to start the trip!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/006.jpg

We got in line for POTC and while the line looked long-ish, we never really stood around just kept walking through the que and it went pretty quickly. This ride is definately the family favorite and we usually average at least 5 rides on it during our trips.
Not a good pic but captures some of the ambiance of the ride:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/010.jpg

It was great and the baby LOVED it! She really loved all the dark rides this trip and it was so fun to see the excitement and happiness on her little face.

DH took the big girls to climb Tarzan's Treehouse and I rested a bit in New Orleans's Square. I really could sit there all day and not get bored. I sent the camera along with DH:
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I've still never made the trek into the tree... the swinging rope bridge would probably do me in anyway...

It was close to 3pm and we wanted to see the parade before we left the park to meet friends back at our hotel. DD2 got to meet Jasmine and Aladdin at his Oasis on our way out of Adventureland, DD1 "saw them last year" and sadly that became her pattern the whole trip. She's almost 8 and suddenly too cool for characters. What?! I love characters and I'll be turning thirty-one this trip!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/020.jpg

[momto2nenas]

*:mad:* I just lost a whole post!

We found a spot on Main Street right behind the curb and settled down to wait for the parade. We heard several people commenting around us that the parade wouldn't reach Main Street until 4:00. :headache: I should have remembered that from last year!

DH went to Coke Corner and spent $15 on 4 drinks... lets add another :headache: I could barely swallow mine my throat was hurting so bad and they'd messed it up and made it diet Cherry Coke.. yep :headache:

You can't tell from this picture but I was feeling pretty bad at this point:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/024.jpg

I went into the bakery behind us to browse around and take pictures, hopefully enough to distract myself from the pain! It did work for a little bit...
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I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of the Celebrate parade. It just does not hold the magic like Parade of Dreams did, I didn't get teary or feel that tingly "Disney Magic" vibe. Well maybe a little when I saw this little face totally enthralled...
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She loved it! Big sisters were still asking can we go to the pool now? How much longer? Is it time? NO! Hush up and watch the darned parade! Even Tigger couldn't get them to participate!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/035.jpg

Those performers really give it there all though and work hard, I have to give them props for that!

Parade was over and we followed it up Main Street to head back to the hotel to meet our friends who lived in the area. We were all stationed together in Hawaii and they are now lucky enough to live 20 minutes from Disneyland where he is your local Air Force recruiter. Yes they have APs, NO they have not been to Disboards.. :laughing:

The bratlings, I mean darlings finally got to go to the pool where the Dads supervised while the moms headed to Target and In and Our for groceries and dinner. I was happy I didn't have to spend $50 on Vons when all I really needed was milk, yogurt, and water. I packed quite a bit of dry foods and baby foods in my luggage. 30 tiny containers of baby food took up quite a bit of space in my luggage!

I let my friend order my food at In and Out since she's a "local". My burger was well done and the fries "light well". They were so dry and crispy they tasted like those potato sticks you buy in a can... I could not complain because she was nice enough to take me there AND treat my family to the meal. DH and the DDs liked their food and all was well. I will blame my lack of swallowing capabilities at that point for my tasteless food.

Our friends headed home and we were all ready for bed. I popped a Motrin and went to bed hoping I'd wake up feeling better the next day...

:sick::sick::sick::sick::sick::sick::sick::sick::s ick::sick::sick::sick::sick::sick:

[heaven2dc]

I love the hotels around Disneyland (well from what I remember from our trip back in 1983 lol). I truly hope you feel better soon - what a rough way to start your trip!! (on my trip to WDW in Feb 2008, I started having a sore throat and sniffles 3 days before we left and I put hydrogen peroxide drops in my ears and it helped until our second day. I didn't bring any with me and ended up drinking tons of orange juice and taking motrin and felt better.)

Your little ones are so adorable!! Loved the expression on your son's face watching the parade :love:

[tinksdreamwishes]

your girls are beautiful !!! I love those outfits! Cant wait to read more- hope your feeling better!:surfweb:

[momto2nenas]

Yay I have readers! :goodvibes

Being sick on vacation, at Disney no less, is no fun! Thankfully we had 5 days this visit and I was able to take the first few days at a slow (deathly slow) pace.

[momto2nenas]

Sunday morning dawned bright and early... the kids were up before 7am thanks to still being on Texas (Central) time. I could barely make it out of bed. I felt that bad. I knew Magic Morning wasn't going to happen that day and forced myself to get up and get ourselves to Disneyland for the 8am opening.

I did all the previous self-remedies: warm saltwater rinse, sore throat lozenges, and of course my 800mg Motrin! I was hoping to make it through the morning and then back for a nap/rest in the afternoon, heading back for dinner and fireworks.

We were in line at the gates at 7:30 and were let onto Main Street to await rope drop. 8am we heard that familiar voice telling us it was time for the MAGIC! The girls sang along to the "Its the Time of Your Life" theme song and we headed into Frontierland for BTMRR. My oldest DD and I rode first with no wait! DH and DD2 rode after us and had a SwitchPass but it wasn't needed since there was still no line.

DD1, DD3, and I headed to Adventureland to get FPs for Indy and Splash Mountain. Since we held 4 tickets but also would need a parent SwitchPass we could get 2 FPs for each ride and then "switch". It worked beautifully the whole trip whenever FP was needed. Something I double checked here on the Dis before attempting, thanks Disers!

DH and DD2 met up with us around Splash and DD1 and I went to get wet! Believe it or not, this would be my first time riding Splash! All previous trips it was too cold, too big of lines, or I was pregnant, lol DD1 had ridden it several times and couldn't wait to ride with me. I could tell when we were getting close to the drops b/c her little heart started beating so fast I thought it was going to pop out of her chest! She kept saying hold on to me, hold on to me! She remembered sliding forward on the seat her first ride and was still afraid of that. The drops were so fun and we didn't get that wet. The themeing of the ride is so cute, I really wish I knew the story of Song of the South to know the ride's backstory...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/049.jpg

DH and DD2 were next to ride Splash (they rode Pooh while waiting for us) and I took the other 2 girls on Pooh. So DD3 got to ride Pooh 3 times that morning, lol. We stayed on for 2 rides and baby loved it. Its such a smooth ride and I loved the birthday scene at the end since I would be celebrating MY birthday during our trip this visit.
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Pooh's Corner is always a cute place to browse around. I love the smell of that store! They really come up with some cute treats that's for sure! I took plenty of pictures to share here. :)
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Haunted Mansion was next with NO wait, man I love the mornings at Disneyland!
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Time for Indy! DD2 was excited to ride and we were almost into the indoor que when a CM tracked us down to measure DD2.. she was too short! I thought for sure she was tall enough. She was so sad to miss out... if I had remembered the ride better I would have sent DH instead with DD1. I may be the only person who does NOT care for Indiana Jones ride. It was so jerky and I just felt like you could barely focus on the ride because you were being jolted around so much. So mark Indy off my list for the future... I'll sit out with the shorties from now on.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/052.jpg

[Tikestoublie]

Just found your TR - love it!! The kids are adorable. So sorry you had to be sick for your trip. While thankfully never been sick at DL, have had to suffer through that for other trips - no fun. :sad2:

Have to say, you took some amazing pictures! All of them are beautiful. The treat ones you got at Pooh's Corner were brilliant!! :thumbsup2 And I take photos part time for a living.

Definitely looking forward to hear how the rest of your trip went. Currently have 6 weeks from today till we arrive at DL. :cool1::cool1::cool1: Till then will be enjoying through you. :surfweb:popcorn::

[tinksdreamwishes]

awww they look great in these outfits too! I love your pictures! Happy late birthday .... cant wait to read the rest!

[TinyDancer]

Yay I found your TR!!

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I just stumbled upon your TR and I love it! Such wonderful pictures and an adorable family! I know how it is to be sick at DL, I ended up with pink eye 2 years ago. Talk about not fun, I am blind without my contacts, but it hurt so terribly bad to put them in. I spent a lot of time in the hotel, which is never anyone's idea of a fun vacation. Hopefully you weren't sick the entire time!

Can't wait to hear how the rest of your trip was.

[tinksdreamwishes]

I am still waiting to read more!!!!!!!!!! :surfweb:

[momto2nenas]

So I'm a bit behind with my trip report! Life has been going full speed ahead since we got back in May. I am SO thankful we took our trip when we did! If we had waited till after we sold our house and moved... well we most likely would have had to cancel for financial reasons. *Side note, our house is under contract and we will be moving as planned the beginning of August with DH to his next duty assignment!*

So I was on Day 2, we'd just rode Indy....... thankfully I took down notes each night back in our hotel room of what we did that day, what we ate, etc. It really helps when its time to do a trip report and when I do my Disneyland scrapbook albums.

[momto2nenas]

I am not sure on the time at this point, it must have still been early in the morning b/c looking back through my pictures there is still a lot to do before our PS at Cafe Orleans at 11:30!

DH must have had Space Mountain in mind but I'm pretty sure the line was too long, I do have a picture of the older DDs playing with this big waterball...anyone know the purpose of this? Or is it just "Tomorrowish" lol.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/053.jpg

We made our way to Its a Small World and basically walked right on, the que looked long but you never stood still so it went by really fast. We all LOVE IASM. DD3's eyes lit up right away and she didn't stop flapping her arms and clapping the whole ride.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/056.jpg
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I thought the weather was a tad on the chilly side for May.... just sayin'.
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My panda-crazed oldest DD loved this postcard!
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The bratlings, like I said DARLINGS fought most of the ride over who saw what character first. They believe their lives are total competition at this stage and remembered last year looking for the new additions of characters. Last year it was fun, new, and exciting. This year it got old real fast after tears became involved. Hello, dear daughters, you are in DISNEYLAND! :rolleyes:

[momto2nenas]

Princess Fantasy Faire is right across from IASW, so naturally I checked out the line and it was so short! Super short for PFF standards! DD1 of course didn't WANT to see any princesses, she saw them all last time... (hmmm, maybe next time we'll let DD1 go to childwatch for the day... she's never done that before!).
But DD2 wanted to go and of course Mommy wanted DD3 to see her first Disney Princesses!

The wait was maybe 30 minutes. I would guess this to be about 10:45 in the morning...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/068.jpg
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We were hoping to see Tiana or Cinderella but no luck at PFF.

We made our way back to NOS and checked in for lunch at Cafe Orleans. This is normally my favorite place to eat at DLR. The Monte Cristo is so good. I love the sit and relax and watch all the familes passing by making their memories. Well the atmosphere was great, the food looked and smelled great but sadly. I just could not eat. I ended up ordering hot water and would try to take a drink then a bite of my sandwich and it didn't work so well. My throat literally felt like it was closing shut at this point and each swallow was like swallowing glass (if you've ever done that before...not that I have).

It was still a beautiful lunch and the rest of the family enjoyed it.
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Right as our food was about to come out Princess Tiana and her ensemble came out singing right beside the cafe. She was so pretty and looked and sounded just like Tiana from the movie. My girls were excited to see her so DD2 and I went over to see if a CM could tell us how the show worked. She offered to let DD2 dance with Tiana on the stage area but she was too shy. She then told us Tiana would be back out to sing 1 more song and then a meet-n-greet.

That worked perfect for us. We ate our lunch (well some of us did) and then took potty breaks and diaper changing while we waited for Tiana to come back. My girls ended up being first in line to meet her!
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We were making our way back towards Main Street and eventually to our hotel for a much needed afternoon rest and naptime but enjoyed several stops along the way.

Jungle Cruise is always cute and usually a short wait:
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Mary and Burt were hanging around Coke Corner, my "not too cool for characters" DD went up to say hi:
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And we saw Minnie in Town Square!
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That may be one of my favorite photos of the trip! My girls drew lots of attention posing with Minnie dressed just like her! :)

I dragged myself along back to the hotel, nursed the baby and we fell asleep right away. Thankfully everyone else was ready for a nap too and slept for the next 3 hours.

When I woke up, I knew that I had taken a turn for the worst. Much worse. An ER visit was in my future.

[flickchick313]

Can't wait for more! Your Tr is getting me so excited for our trip!!

[Bell<3Disney]

Your daughters are super cute! I love the dresses, did you make them? I feel so bad you were sick, sounds like strep throat. The last thing you want during a disney vacation is a trip to the er!:sad2:

[APX]

Can't wait to read more. :D

[DisneyIsMagical]

The picture of your girls with Minnie is priceless! Adorable! Sorry you weren't feeling well!

[mello]

Aw, I'm so sorry you were sick, that's no fun. Nevertheless, I'm enjoying your trip report. Your girls are so cute, and that picture of them with Minnie is adorable!

[tinksdreamwishes]

aww.... yep sounds like strep throat! i hope it didnt ruin the rest of the trip! I really am looking forward to reading more!popcorn::

[tinksdreamwishes]

also the pics are really really adorable! I cant wait to see more pics!

[McNic]

Loving the TR and your girls are so cute in their outfits. Hope you didn't spend the rest of your trip in the ER!

[momto2nenas]

5 months later I am ready to finish up this Trip Report! We've since moved to a new town for my husband's new job training. He graduates in a few weeks and then we are off to ANOTHER town. This one is in...

CALIFORNIA! That's right, according to my girls we are "moving to Disneyland!" :goodvibes :laughing: Actually we are moving about 7 hours North but we are hitting the parks for a 3 day layover on the way, so excited!

Before I start the pretrip and trip report for that trip I need to finish up last year's! Thankfully I still have my notes and photos are already uploaded to Photobucket so it shouldn't take me too long.

[momto2nenas]

So last time I posted we had just returned to our hotel for an afternoon break on our 2nd day of the trip...

I woke up feeling worse than even before and I didn't think that was possible. The front desk called me a taxi and I was on my way to the local emergency room. DH was very upset about me going alone but we didn't need the 3 kids stuck in the waiting room for who knows how long so he took them back to the park as planned.

I spent a few hours in a semi-shady ER in Fullerton but was so thankful for the antibiotic shot, liquid steroid, and pain relievers they pumped into me! I was back in our room just in time for the 9pm-ish fireworks and feeling almost like a new person that quick!

I stepped out of our room and watched the fireworks for a few minutes and was excited that that DH and my babies were finally getting to see them too! We just had bad luck in the past with high winds or going mid-week that we'd never had the opportunity since '06 to see them!

Here are a few pictures DH snapped of their trip back that night:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/099.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/101.jpg
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And can I just say, I was so completely in love with my husband's daddy skills that night, taking all 3 girls to Disneyland by himself for several hours? :lovestruc

[momto2nenas]

Monday morning I was feeling 80% better and was ready to go. We were so excited to be hitting up California Adventure this day. It also meant we got to sleep in a little bit longer since they weren't opening until 10am.

We were lined up at the gates and within a few minutes walking into CA at 9:40 and the big girls and I walked straight on to Soarin'. My favorite ride in CA and after ToT, my girls' favorite too! We made sure to ask for front row so they could get the best view and it was not a problem since we were the first people to ride the ride that day!

DH waited with DD3 and met Aviator Goofy who we didn't remember ever seeing before....
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We picked up a FP for Soarin' to use later on and headed over for rope drop to get in line for Toy Story Midway Mania!

I know I'm probably in the minority here but I just don't consider it a favorite and it was an easy decision for me to stay back with DD3 while the older ones took turns riding with DH. DD3 and I ended up riding King Triton's Carousel 4 times that morning!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/119.jpg

We also got to meet Jessie for the first time!
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DH and the big girls rode Mickey's Funwheel (non-sliding car!)
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While I took a time out on the benches with the baby.
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We made out way around the "outer rim" of CA riding whatever rides were open and then picking up our lanyards from our travel package before heading to DTD to meet a friend who lives in the area at the ESPN Zone.
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[AussieDisneyNut]

Hi ... just came across your TR today and am really enjoying it. :surfweb: Sorry you got sick at DLR, you really seemed to handle it well according to the photo's! Love your girl's outfits ... did you make them yourself? If so, you are very talented! :thumbsup2 Look forward to reading the rest. :goodvibes

[momto2nenas]

Hi ... just came across your TR today and am really enjoying it. :surfweb: Sorry you got sick at DLR, you really seemed to handle it well according to the photo's! Love your girl's outfits ... did you make them yourself? If so, you are very talented! :thumbsup2 Look forward to reading the rest. :goodvibes

I am amazed at how I look in the photos too considering how sick I was, I guess the Disney spirit kept me going. :)

I got the girls' dresses from a seller on etsy.com. I did make their black tshirts and a few other things they will be wearing as I continue the trip report. Thank you for the kind words!

[BellaBaby]

Your girls are beautiful!! Looking forward to reading more of your TR! :goodvibes

[momto2nenas]

We had lunch at ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney and then returned to CA. My older girls were busting at the seams to ride Tower of Terror! While I also really enjoy this ride, the anticipation right before you drop always freaks me out so much I wonder why I am riding it in the first place. But as soon as its finished you always want to ride it AGAIN!

We must have ran into Goofy on our way to the Animation Academy building..
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/176.jpg

This was the most time we'd ever spent in the Animation Academy bldg, and it was a great place to relax and mainly let the baby crawl around and get some exercise since she was on Day 3 of being in her stroller. DH and the older girls went to draw a picture of a Disney character and they all came back with very cute Mickey drawings. We also got some neat pictures in the building.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/179.jpg
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We ran into our old pal Stitch back out on Hollywood Blvd:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/189.jpg

Monsters Inc. was up next and this is a ride that DH and I both are sentimental about. Monsters Inc. was the first Disney movie that DD1 really got into. We learned it by heart when she was around 2 years old, so it will always hold a soft spot for us. :lovestruc
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/190.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/197.jpg

We rode Soarin' again using our FPs from earlier and let the girls meet Mater and Lightening McQueen.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/198.jpg

We called it a day at California Adventure and headed back to Disneyland.

[momto2nenas]

We arrived at Disneyland just in time for the Flag Retreat ceremony. Being a military family we are also very patriotic so this was fun for us to see.

We stopped in front of the castle for my favorite of all photos at Disneyland, CASTLE photos!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/200.jpg
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I especially love this one:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/212.jpg

Anyone remember this one from last year?
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%20May%2009/DisneylandMay2009222.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/216.jpg

[momto2nenas]

We booked our trip throgh Costco Travel and one of the perks was 4 vouchers for a character dining. We opted for Goofy's Kitchen since we had done Ariel's Grotto and Lilo and Stitch (now Mickey's Surf's Up or similar) on previous trips.

We took the Monorail from Disneyland into Downtown Disney and then made the short walk to the Disneyland Hotel. The food was the typical Disney buffet type stuff and we stocked up on the fresh fruits since they are usually what we lack while on trips and live on at home!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/218.jpg
Our table was in a corner and we didn't get that much attention from our server if I recall but since it was a buffet we were not too upset. We missed a few of the characters walking around as well but Mulan and Minnie made up for that since they were both so great and interactive with the girls!

Mulan especially made sure to ask about their day, outfits, and was very impressed when DD1 told her she was Mulan for Halloween the year before.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/235.jpg
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[momto2nenas]

After our dinner at Goofy's Kitchen we caught the Monorail back into Disneyland and hung out in Fantasyland for a little bit longer.

We rode the Teacups, King Arthur's Carousel, and then the Teacups again!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/244.jpg
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http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/255.jpg

Disneyland is so amazing all lit up at night.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/256.jpg
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Day 3 was definately our best day so far. I was feeling so much better and that made it better for everyone else as well.

[TinyDancer]

I am so glad you are finishing your TR! I can not believe how grown up the girls look NOW as compared to last May! Unreal!

I started my PTR if you want to check it out. :thumbsup2

[Bungle]

Those are great pictures. Reading your trip report makes me look forward to visiting in may!

[Briarrose1306]

This is the first TR I've read and I'm glad I did! You've done an amazing job telling about your trip and with the pictures, i almost feel like I went with you! Great job, can't wait for more!

[yupikgal]

Thank you for the fun trip report...it was kind of reminding me of our trip last May, but we got there right around the time you left, we also did the 5 for 3, stayed at the Fairfield, and I was getting over my illness when we got there too! In fact, since we flew all night from Alaska, I was EXHAUSTED and asked if we could check in early, which after they tried putting us in a 1st floor room (which I politely declined, not feeling comfortable with that idea) they ended up putting in a higher room and I got to rest for a while before heading to the park! Not the most exciting thing to do, but I really needed it, and since I don't sleep well on planes, and I was sick, I was very tired. Your girls are adorable, especially the way you dressed them! ;)

[momto2nenas]

Well it's been exactly 1 year ago since this trip in May 2010... I just celebrated my 32nd birthday on the 18th so I figured now is a good time to finish up my Trip Report from my 31st birthday at Disneyland.

We'd just finished up our 3rd day but first full day at the parks. I was feeling 100% percent better and looking forward to our Magic Morning on our 4th day at the parks. Some little beauty was not ready to get up that early...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/294.jpg

We got her up and everyone ready to wait at the gates for our Magic Morning....but it was raining.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/297.jpg

But rain shouldn't stop anyone from having the best time at Disneyland! We went to Fantasyland and did all our favorites with time to spare before official park opening.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/298.jpg

For the first time ever, we rode Finding Nemo subs. We were there for the grand opening in June '07 and not interested in 3 hour lines AT ALL. But during MM it was manageable. Will we ever ride it again...no. None of us really enjoyed it. It was cramped, stuffy, *stinky (hold the gas people for 11 minutes would ya?!) and just too slow. The kids enjoyed it at first but were getting bored by the end.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/307.jpg

The rain let up and we were off to explore the rest of the park and another first for us was Thunder Ranch. So cute!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/322.jpg
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We took a quick ride on BTMRR (my big girls' #1 favorite in the park!) and then headed to Cafe Orleans for my birthday lunch.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/324.jpg

[momto2nenas]

We had lunch at my favorite restaurant at Disneyland, Cafe Orleans. The food was great as usual, nothing tastes just like a CO Monte Cristo! But our server was seriously lacking in the hospitality department. It kinda put a damper on my birthday lunch when my husband had to ask more than once for the celebration beignets and then the server *so nicely* dropped them in front of me as he passed by.. BUT I wasn't there to celebrate with him. I was there with my beautiful family who makes everyday a celebration! :)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/328.jpg

After lunch it was time for Critter Country. My DD#2 has loved the Pooh ride since she was 7 months old! Usually (like this visit!) we are lucky enough to get to ride it twice without having to get off, that makes her so happy. We saw some cute "critters" hanging around after the ride so we stopped for some pictures.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/331.jpg
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We made our way back to the hub to take some castle pics, stopping to ride a few favorite rides in between.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/349.jpg

[momto2nenas]

Castle picc are always my favorite!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/353.jpg
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http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/367.jpg
(p.s. we've since gotten better at the hand/heart pose... full hands make for a better picture. ;) )

We hung out in front of the castle for quite awhile, resting our legs, letting the baby crawl around. DH said this is one of his favorite pictures from the trip:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/368.jpg

Here are 2 of my favorites:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/372.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/373.jpg

We strolled over to Coke Corner to refuel with everyone's favorite ice cream treats, cookies, and Vanilla Cokes.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/377.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/379.jpg
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http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/384.jpg

Up next, we head over to California Adventure!

[momto2nenas]

Once we crossed over to CA we headed straight to A Bug's Land. We always enjoy all the rides here as a family.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/396.jpg
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We LOVE the smells and sounds on Heimlich's Chew Chew Train. The big girls tried to taste the drips from the watermelon this time to see if it was real watermelon juice...DD#1 determined it's just water.. :laughing:

We spent some more time exploring and then rode the ToT. Love and hate that ride at the same time! Everytime I get in the seat the anticipation of the drops overwhelms for about 5 seconds and then it's so fun! Even our middle girl loves this ride!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/407.jpg

We had pulled a full park day this day with no afternoon break so we headed back to the room early. If I remember correctly, DH took the big girls to the pool for awhile and then we ended the day with a pizza party in our room compliments of the Fairfield Inn's Pizza Hut (I think they do this once per stay or it may have came with our Costco package?). It was the best pizza! I'm not usually a fan of Pizza Hut but this was so good and the perfect way to end a birthday!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/408.jpg

[momto2nenas]

Our final day at Disneyland had arrived. We were so glad we had the 5 for 3 this time since our first 2 days were mostly sick days for me and we spent a limited time at the parks.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/409.jpg
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We were up early and at the gates 30 mins and led down Main Street for rope drop. We had Mickey's Toontown Madness passes for this morning and we were excited to go check it out........ However as we passed through Fantasyland we noticed how completely empty it was, and then we get to ToonTown and it was packed to the gills with a line to show your tickets to the CM. We made a command decision and turned around and went right back to Fantasyland and hopped on all our favorites with no lines.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/414.jpg
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http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/417.jpg

Oh, and we had to stop for the Disneyland duck crossing.. seriously the cutest things we'd seen in the parks the whole 5 days! They even had their own CM attending to them!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/418.jpg

DD#1 was old enough to fly her own Dumbo and was so excited about that!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/420.jpg
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And would you look at my Pretty Precious and her Papi!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/444.jpg

We rode the Casey Jr. Circus train and then went back to ToonTown for the last 15 mins. or so of MTTMM.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/448.jpg
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Minnie was waiting for us on her front porch! She loved everyone's Minnie attire! :)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/458.jpg
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And we had fun exploring her cute little house.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/467.jpg
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[momto2nenas]

We had lunch reservations at Carnation Cafe and enjoyed our lunch. We got to talk with the famous Oscar for several minutes and he told us some neat stories about the good ole' days of Disneyland and about Walt Disney.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/486.jpg
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Some pictures as we made our way over to California Adventure:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/498.jpg
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The big girls wanted to go back to CA and ride Grizzly River Rapids and were hoping to meet the "bears". I don't remember who I asked but I was told exactly where the Brother Bears would be and at what time so we went to wait for them as a surprise. My girls were so excited!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/511.jpg

We walked the wooded trail around the back way to GRR and that's where the baby and I sat and relaxed for awhile while the big girls and their Papi went to get wet!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/515.jpg
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DD#3 was so happy to be out of the stroller and crawling around. I just love the combo of the fluffy tutu and the hole in her sock... :rotfl:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/520.jpg

Now since this trip was a year ago and I don't have my notes on hand I'm not sure what we did after this... we must have eaten dinner somewhere.. actually I think we went to White Water Snacks and ate or maybe Downtown Disney...?!

[momto2nenas]

We ended our trip with a final walk through Disneyland and exploring Fantasyland at night. With the ages of our kids and the off-season times that we usually take our trips, we've never experienced Fantasyland at night! It was a major goal of DD#2 and I to ride the "teacups at night". She talked about it for weeks leading up to our trip and still says it was her favorite about the trip.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/532.jpg
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We rode It's a Small World and the 3 people in the front seat of our boat were so obviously drunk I was surprised they weren't escorted off the ride and out of the park. They were rocking the boat and jumping off onto platforms and snapping pictures, DRINKING what was obviously not just soda from the smell of it. The girls were mostly oblivious but my oldest did ask me why they were trying to rock the boat and why they were singing so loud.. I was disappointed when they got off the ride and went on their merry way and no one said anything to them. DH was mad and wanted to say something to a CM but we were about to leave for the night and I just hoped they didn't ruin the magic for anyone else.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/544.jpg

The big girls took one last spin on the carousel and we called it a night, and ended our.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/momto2nenas/Disneyland%202010/548.jpg

So 5 days at the parks, 2 days super sick, 1 trip to the ER, 1 magical birthday...a good trip overall and our first as a Party of Five!

[deejdigsdis]

I'm glad you came back and finished this! That was quite a trip. You had so many wonderful pictures. I especially enjoyed the one of your baby in the sink. Very cute! Thank you for sharing.

[momto2nenas]

I'm glad you came back and finished this! That was quite a trip. You had so many wonderful pictures. I especially enjoyed the one of your baby in the sink. Very cute! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for reading! I enjoy doing trip reports, just wish it didn't take me so long!

All my babies have had sink baths once in awhile so I thought it seemed fun when I saw Minnie's cute little sink!

[TinyDancer]

Love the pics!! :lovestruc


The teacups at night look beautiful! The girls look adorable in their Disney-wear!

Off to read the next one! :goodvibes