Our Leap Day Adventure with 3 kids 5 and younger!!

[ladylyons]

Now after the show my kids love to collect up as many of the streamers and gold dubloons as they can. So while I was watching both of my son’s my mom was supposed to be watching my DD while we were getting up off that ground. For anyone that has watched this show you know how hard it can be to get up after the show. Well I turn around and go “Where’s Sarah?” My mom looks and goes “She’s right…..” UH OH!! Where is she?!?!?!?!? Luckily we only had this scare for a minute because the lady next to us heard us and goes she’s right there by the entrance COMING BACK IN!!!! Come to find out she went outside to throw away the streamers and gold dubloons. Talk about a scary moment!!! That is when I stressed to my DD again the importance of staying with us and not to wander away because we’d be really sad and scared if we lost her.

After Disney Junior we headed to Soarin’.

Some pictures on the way:

While DS and I rode Soarin’ my mom took these pictures of my DD. She was not in a good mood that I took her brother on a ride without her!! Lol She love’s her grandma but she didn’t want to be with her at that moment in time.

After that we decided it was time to let the Princess see some of her favorite people so it was time to put that park hopper of my mom’s too good use and head back to Disneyland. (We have AP’s so my mom was the only one with a regular ticket.)

Up next we get to meet a duck and some Princesses!!

 

[ladylyons]

After Leaving California Adventure we went over to Disneyland. As soon as we walked in the gate and through the tunnels we saw the line for Donald Duck!! My DS has been wanting to meet him for the last few trips now and the timing just never worked out until today!! We got into line and waited about 10 mins and then it was our turn!

Looking down Main Street towards the Castle.

Now let’s see if we can get a few shots of just the kids.

I guess not. After we put the kids on the stroller I went to grab my hat off the stroller and some how dropped the camera. I was so afraid that this is how the rest of my trip pictures were going to turn out because I had no clue where to even begin to fix it.

That’s how I felt at this moment in time.

Then all of a sudden we got this….

YEAH THE CAMERA WAS WORKING AGAIN!!!! Don’t ask me what I did because I have no clue!!

Since we were celebrating my son’s 5th birthday on this trip we went into City Hall to leave a compliment card for the awesome CM Brett who helped us make sure we got to see Darth Vader and while we were there they told my DS that he had a special birthday message waiting for him.

When he got off the phone we asked him who it was and he told us Goofy wished him a Happy Birthday. He was soooo excited. He’s been on a Goofy kick for a while now and I have no idea why since I’ve been brainwashing him since birth to like Mickey. Now it was time to see some Princesses.

On the way we happen to see Mary Poppins. I don’t know where she was headed but snapped a quick picture. It didn’t turn out but my DD really wants to see her on our next trip so that is something we will be doing.

We got in line to see Rapunzel and while we were waiting I got the Princess ready to go. This trip she wanted to wear her Cinderella dress (even though Belle is her favorite and she has a Belle dress she just didn’t feel like wearing it that day.)

I love this one. My DD is saying look how cute I am and my DS is rolling his eyes in the background!!

She knows she’s cute! Everyone in line around us was like ahhh look how adorable she is. And she’d just give them a smile.

Finally our turn..

I love how she got down to their level when it came time for pictures.

Next we headed toward Princess Fantasy Faire. One the way we saw these two. And of course he was causing nothing but trouble.

Continued in next post...

 

[ladylyons]

Finally we made it through the crowd and made it to the Princess Fantasy Faire. Here’s a couple pics of the area and of course the Princess.

First up….

PRINCESS TIANA

She just loves to meet the Princesses!

My DS had to meet the Princesses by himself. He didn’t want to share with his sister.

She snuck back in.

Next up…

ARIEL

Right before this next picture was taken Sarah walked up to Jeremy and pushed him towards Ariel and told him “It’s your turn.” My mom and I looked at each other and just laughed. It was so cute and funny at the same time.

Again she snuck into the picture.

Then last but not least the one Princess that always makes my DD’s day when she gets to see her…..

BELLE

Belle asked my DD if Cinderella was her favorite Princess and my DD’s answer was “No you are. My mommy’s favorite is Cinderella.” You could just see how much that touched Belle. So not only do they make magic for us but sometimes our little one’s make magic for them too.

Jeremy’s turn..

She wished him Happy Birthday and he told he was 5.

You can see Sarah here pushing Jeremy towards Belle.

Once again Sarah had to be in the pictures. Poor Jeremy couldn’t even get a picture by himself with a princess.

One last hug.

Continued in next post...

 

[ladylyons]

My Princess..

My Princess and silly boy..

He wanted me to take a silly picture of him.

This visit to Princess Fantasy Faire was all about the kids so that’s why my mom and I aren’t in any of the pics. The kids took enough time I didn’t want to make the families behind us have to wait any more. After the Princesses it was nap time. So back to the room we went. Here’s a couple more pics before nap time. She was being a ham for the camera.

Now there’s my children. I was wondering where they went. This is how they normally act towards each other.

Now there she is again trying to be all cute and innocent. She loves her bear blanket.

Now there’s my handsome little boy.

Up next... What do we do after naps?

 

[blessedmom4]

the new update, good job on all of the precious memories and pics! SO happy Sarah came back, but they DID look like they enjoyed the show! We had a VERY fun time with Mary Poppins...if I ever get to write about it....LOVED the pics of the Princesses and Jeremy was so cut hanging back just a bit, needing a "little"encouragement from Sarah, such sweeties. HOw fun that he got a BD call from his main man, Goofy!

Tke good care of yourself, sweetie, thinking of you! Thanks for the update!

 

[Moira222]

OH my I am so glad you camera fixed itself! that would have been awful because you just took some awesome photos that day! I love the princesses, and the fact that they can really interact and talk with people. I like that they let Ariel be in her "human" form -- when we saw Ariel in '07 she was a mermaid, and I kept thinking how uncomfortable that must have been to sit like that for any length of time!

love how sweet your kids are!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm all caught up!!

 

[ladylyons]

the new update, good job on all of the precious memories and pics! SO happy Sarah came back, but they DID look like they enjoyed the show! We had a VERY fun time with Mary Poppins...if I ever get to write about it....LOVED the pics of the Princesses and Jeremy was so cut hanging back just a bit, needing a "little"encouragement from Sarah, such sweeties. HOw fun that he got a BD call from his main man, Goofy!

Tke good care of yourself, sweetie, thinking of you! Thanks for the update!

I was soooo glad that she decided that she did want to be in the pictures again. I was so worried that we were going back to Disneyland for nothing because that was our whole point of park hopping that day was to see the Princesses.

Now I'm trying to remember what we did that night because for some reason I have NO pictures!!! I guess I'll have to talk to Jeremy and see if he remembers because that kid is like an elephant. He remembers everything!!

Thanks! I'm doing soooooo much better pain wise. Haven't taken anything since yesterday afternoon. Emotionally is still a daily struggle.

OH my I am so glad you camera fixed itself! that would have been awful because you just took some awesome photos that day! I love the princesses, and the fact that they can really interact and talk with people. I like that they let Ariel be in her "human" form -- when we saw Ariel in '07 she was a mermaid, and I kept thinking how uncomfortable that must have been to sit like that for any length of time!

love how sweet your kids are!!

Your telling me!! I didn't know how I was going to tell my DH that I broke the camera. We've only had it for about 5 - 6 months now!! I did have a basic point and shoot with me too but this one takes sooo much better pics and it's fast, which is what you need when your taking pics of kids.

We've never met Ariel as a mermaid. I also like that she's human because I think the kids can interact with her easier and connect with her better.

Thanks!! They can be soo sweet at times.

I'm all caught up!!

Hope your enjoying what you've read so far.

 

[pharmjenn]

Sandra, I am enjoying your report as well. I am in awe of anyone able to do Disney with 3 little kids. I found DL exhausting with just one, a 2yo DS with my DH.
I am really close to you as well. I live in Antioch and work graveyard shift in San Ramon Hospital

 

[ladylyons]

Sandra, I am enjoying your report as well. I am in awe of anyone able to do Disney with 3 little kids. I found DL exhausting with just one, a 2yo DS with my DH.
I am really close to you as well. I live in Antioch and work graveyard shift in San Ramon Hospital

Thanks so much pharmjenn for signing on!!! Yeah it is an adventure anytime we go but the kids love it just as much as we do. We've also learned how valuable fastpasses, rider swaps, single rider and getting to the parks at opening are. Afternoon naps are also a must so we can make it to fireworks, World of Color and Fantasmic! We're going again in now 8 short days (we moved up our trip by one day so we're leaving on the 10th now instread of the 11th!!)

I actaully grew up in Oakley and have family in both Antioch and Brentwood so I know exactly where that is. And if it's the hospital I'm thinking of you are literally like 3 mins away from me!!! Talk about it being a small world!! Maybe we can have a lunch time Dismeet one day!! I love to meet new people!! Especially since I've been a stay at home mom for the last 5 years.

 

[ladylyons]

Ok for the life of me I can not remember what we did this night. I did not take a single picture and that is not like me!!! I do know that I did forget to mention that earlier in the day when we were leaving to go back to the hotel that we walked by Big Thunder Mountain to get Fast Passes to use later that night for my oldest DS and were almost to Main Street when I realized that my baby DS was missing a shoe. The ironic part of this was when we were standing in line to meet the princesses I noticed a little girl about a year old that was missing a shoe and mentioned it to the mom and she told me “yeah she lost it and we don’t know where.” So I told her to go check at Lost and Found either that night or early the next day and if it was found they would have it. She thanked me and said she’d make sure they would do that.

Side note when my oldest DS was 11 months old we lost a shoe. The funny part of it was it was the same shoe that my baby DS lost this trip!!!! Lol When my oldest lost it we were near It’s a Small World during the fireworks. When we went to Lost and Found that night they didn’t have it and told us to check back the next morning. So the next morning when we went to Lost and Found I put the match on the counter and told them I was looking for the match to this. The girl laughed and said let me see what we have. Within a few mins she came back and goes “you mean the match to this one?” and we both started laughing. It was great to have a CM who understood how I was feeling at that time as that was the only pair of shoes my DS had. My DH has a problem buying shoes for little one’s who are going to grow out of them before they can destroy them. He’d rather they wore them out than grow out of them.

So back to the story that I’m trying to piece together…. We went back to the parks around 8 pm because we wanted to see the fireworks and this was going to be our only chance to see them. As I was standing in line for Lost and Found about the missing shoe I was talking to a lady about our plans that night and was overheard by another guest who had just left the park that they had announced that the fireworks were cancelled. Needless to say we were pretty sad because that is an all time favorite of my whole families, even my 19 month old. He literally watches them in awe with no crying even when we watched them from in front of the castle on one of our trips. But we did not let that ruin our night because we knew that would give us a better opportunity to hopefully get a better spot for Fantasmic! Instead. (That’s another family favorite!!)

Well needless to say Lost and Found did not have my DS’s shoe. Oh well I filled out a missing item form and figured I’d come back the next morning and see if it was found. So back into Disneyland we went. We walked down a pretty crowded Main Street because a lot of people were either heading back into the park or heading out due to the fireworks being cancelled.
I know we headed over to ride Buzz, Space Mountain, and It’s a Small World. I also know at about 9:15 pm or so we headed over to River’s of America so we could get spots to watch Fantasmic! at 10:15 pm. We got stopped over near the Mark Twain loading area and had to wait for them to open up the area. By the time we got to the area we had a hard time finding a spot for the 5 of us. Once we found a spot I left my mom and DS with the bags and blankets and went to park the stroller (the area we found was not big enough for us and a double stroller). I parked it in the same area I’ve used before which was over near a DVC kiosk which was closed and I knew they blocked off so no one would be in that area. I had been told by a CM on a previous trip to park it there so that is why I knew it would not be moved and it wasn’t. By the time I was done parking the stroller I headed back to find my mom and DS and they were not where I left them. So after spending a few minutes looking for them I finally found them about 3 rows back from the fence. Originally we were near the back of the area which was about 10 or so rows back. Mind you we do not have benches in Disneyland. We watch the show on the Rivers of America and we were in a sitting area. I will not do a standing area if I can help it because of the kids and I’m only 5’2” so I’m short and if I’m going to watch the show I want a good spot darn it.

So while I was gone my mom saw a bigger area open and asked if anyone was sitting there and the family said they were waiting for the rest of their family so my mom was told them ok no problem and went back to the little spot we found. About 5 minutes later while she was sitting there with my DS the little girl from the family came over to my mom and told her that the rest of their family decided to pass on the show so if she wanted the spot it was there’s. Of course she thanked them and her and my DS moved and then laid out our blankets. It was such a better spot and I had bought a bunch of the bracelets that you break and they glow so we ended up sharing some with the family who gave us the spot. I ended up not taking any picture’s during the show because it wasn’t our first time seeing it and I wanted to enjoy the time with my kid’s just enjoying the show. I loved holding my 19 month old on my lap and just watching the joy and wonder in his face as he’d point to things that he liked and would hide his face on the things he didn’t. After Fantasmic we took our time to let the area clear out then we headed over to one of my DD’s favorite’s Winnie the Pooh. After Winnie the Pooh we headed over to Big Thunder Mountain to use our FP’s from earlier for my DS. My DS and I also got a rider swap so we were actually able to go on the ride with a FP then went right back through the line with the rider swap. My mom really didn’t want to ride so she didn’t mind that I went twice with my DS.

While we were in line my mom happened to look over toward the fast pass machines and saw something sitting on top of one of them. So she took my baby DS and DD in the stroller over towards it and found my DS’s SHOE!!!! What are the odds that we had lost it that afternoon and found it after 11 pm that night!!!! We were very surprised!!! After BTMRR we were going to go over to Star Tours to use our FP’s from earlier that day but found by the time we got over there all 3 of my kids were asleep. So we decided to take our time walking out of the park since it was our last visit of the trip. It was a sad moment knowing that was the last time I'd see the castle until next time so as we walked out, I looked back at the castle and the Walt and Mickey statue one last time and said Thanks for everything Walt. We’ll see you soon!! My DS calls Walt Mickey’s dad and every time he says it I get tears in my eyes because if it wasn’t for Walt creating Mickey Mouse and going to that park with his daughters when they were younger and wanting to have a place where families could experience the fun together we would not have this magical place to return to visit after visit, year after year. So again Thanks for everything Walt!! Without you I wouldn’t be making these memories with my kids after my parent’s and grandparent’s made the memories with me as a child.

Up next.. Breakfast with Goofy and let’s go shopping!!! (with lots of pictures!!!)

 

[pharmjenn]

It is always sad to leave Disney, isn't it? But now we know you are going back NEXT WEEK!

I can't wait to hear about your shopping!
Oh, and I would love to meet up with you sometime. I will PM you

 

[ladylyons]

It is always sad to leave Disney, isn't it? But now we know you are going back NEXT WEEK!

I can't wait to hear about your shopping!
Oh, and I would love to meet up with you sometime. I will PM you

It is great to know when your next trip will be. After this trip next week our next one won't be until Christmas. It's going to be a long 7 months considering in the last year alone we've gone 5 times for any where from 3 days to 8 days!!

I'm working on that update so will hopefully have it posted soon. It was a very long day because this was also the day we drove home. So breakfast, shopping then a 6+ hour drive home. By the end of it I was ready to be home!!

Got your pm and sent you one back. Thanks again for being here.

 

[ladylyons]

So the plan for today was to pack up our suitcases and the car and walk across the Esplanade for breakfast with Goofy at the Disneyland Hotel at 10 am. Well that all changed when we left our hotel at 9:30 am and started walking down Harbour Blvd. and noticed that there were a lot of people hanging out on the street outside the gates. We walked down to a bus stop on the hotel side of the street and asked a CM how were we supposed to get to the Disneyland Hotel since we had breakfast reservations and he told us to just wait there and a bus would be by soon. The bus got there at about 9:45 am or so and we jumped on. We were one of the first people on since we were one of the first one’s waiting and people around me helped us get on the bus with the 3 kids (and the driver put the stroller under the bus) which we were very grateful for. So on the drive over to the Disneyland Hotel we found out that a suspicious backpack had been found in the Esplanade area and they closed off the area until they could make sure it was safe. While on the bus I called Disney Dining because I wanted them to know that we were on our way and if could help it didn’t want to lose our reservation. They told us it would be no problem and thanked me for the call and would let the hotel know that we were on our way.

This picture taken as we pulled in to the parking garage. It was crazy!!

So by the time we got off the bus it was about 10:15 am and we had to book it over to the hotel. The kids had a blast laughing at my mom and I as we raced each other over to the hotel. We got checked in about 10:25 am or so and were seated within 5 minutes or so. We were actually surprised that they weren’t very full but we figured some people probably said forget it about trying to get there from the hotels on Harbour. We would have it they didn’t have buses running to get us over there.

Here’s some pictures from our fun meal!!

First up the main chef himself…..Goofy!!

We were barely seated when out came….
DALE!!!

James didn’t know what to make of the characters right now but just wait until later.

Next up Gepetto and Dale!!

Jeremy loved getting to meet Pinocchio’s dad but kept wondering where Pinocchio was. We told him Pinocchio was probably out playing in Disneyland and Gepetto nodded his agreement when he heard out answer.

James with Gepetto.

Next up Mulan. (The first time we met Mulan my DD, she was 2.5 at the time, had issues with her and was crying and Mulan gave me attitude about not wanting to take a picture with a crying baby and stepping away from me with her arms crossed when I tried to stand next to her so I was very happy that this one was very nice and friendly!! My DD became a big fan of her this day!!)

Another family favorite…Snow White!!

I couldn’t believe the change in my DD from the not wanting to take pictures with them to hugging them when it was time for them to leave.

Then Chip made an appearance.

Look whose back…..Gepetto!!

Awwwww Pluto!!!

Then for some reason my DS was really, really excitied about this one!!!

RAFIKKI!! We saw him walking around the other tables but he never came into our section. So we mentioned it to our server and she said that they have to go help out in the kitchen periodically but he should hopefully come by before we left. (I think she made some pixie dust happen because about 5 mins before we were ready to leave he showed up!!) Made my DS’s day!!

Continued in next post...

 

[ladylyons]

Now the love for Goofy comes out of James!

Now some love for Pluto!!

Let’s take a drive…

Up next let’s go make some new friends!

 

[ladylyons]

After a great breakfast with some great character interaction it was time to go shopping. It’s one of my mom and I’s favorite things to do together. No husbands to stop us from spending money!! Lol Actually if you know my DH he likes to shop just as much as I do!! Lol

Our first stop was some pin trading at the little pin store at the beginning of DTD from the Disneyland Hotel. Then next up was Build A Bear, we got here around 12:45 pm. My mom saw a bear she wanted then some how my kids managed to talk her into getting them a bear or bunny too!! Lol

Here they are making their new friends.

Sarah first with her Bunny.

Hugging her to make sure she’s got enough stuffing.

Guess she needed more.

Jeremy’s turn making his Pirate Bear.

Hug Test.

Needs more too.

James turn. Since James was a sleep Jeremy decided to help out by making his.

Now Sarah’s turn to help make mine.

They both got to help make Grandma’s.

After we got our new friends and picked out their outfits it was time to head out to the World of Disney Store. (I guess I quit taking pictures after this. I’ll have to get the completed friends and take pictures of them in the next day or so and post them. They all turned out very cute!!) By the time we l
left Build a Bear it was about 1:45 pm or so.

At World of Disney we of course went shopping!! I picked up a Train Mug for my DH for his birthday, the Belle and Cinderella Precious Moment’s dolls, the special tote bag and a few other small things. My mom also got our Leap Year ears embroidered. By the time we finally left World of Disney and made it across the now opened Esplanade and back to the car it was about 2:30 pm and I was already exhausted. I was soooo ready for a break but knew that we had to get on the road. Which is exactly what we did.

We had to make 1 potty stop for the kids who luckily for us slept most of the way home. It’s a very boring drive but one I’m willing to make if it takes us back to our happy place. We met my DH at Black Angus at around 9:30 pm that night so we could celebrate his birthday with him even though we were a couple days late. He was very happy to see me and the kids. This was the first time since we got married on May 15, 2004 that I took a vacation without him. Over all we had a very successful trip. The kids still talk about it and it’s one my mom and I will never forget. We got to have 3 generations of my family at one of the Happiest Places on Earth!!

Now we can’t wait to leave in just 5 short days oh wait it’s after midnight make that 4 short days to our happy place. I’ll hopefully take more pictures and will try to do another trip report. Hope you all enjoyed our Adventure with 3 kids under the age of 5 and will join me on the next one. See you all soon!!

 

[pharmjenn]

I would love to see the completed bears. The colors on yours look like it will be very cute. Your moms bear is very bright.
Great pictures of your character interactions. I have never done TS in the parks before, so thus no character meals. This summer we are going all out with them. I think my DS4 will love them. It seems James was enamored

 

[ladylyons]

I would love to see the completed bears. The colors on yours look like it will be very cute. Your moms bear is very bright.
Great pictures of your character interactions. I have never done TS in the parks before, so thus no character meals. This summer we are going all out with them. I think my DS4 will love them. It seems James was enamored

My kids are napping right now so when they wake up I'll be able to take pictures of our 4. Unfortunatly I don't have any of my mom's bear but maybe I can get her to send me a picture of it. Her's was a green St Patrick's Day Bear if I remember right.

It took a few trips to get the kids happy with seeing the characters so hopefully your DS takes to them. We are that family with the crying kids when we'd see Mickey!! Our favorites for the character meals are Goofy's Kitchen and Chip and Dale's Storyteller's Breakfast. My husband prefers their food. I enjoyed Ariel's Grotto mainlybecause my DD is a huge princess fan and I thought the food was pretty good. We haven't done Minnie's yet but I'm trying to talk my DH into doing that one this trip but we'll see if that happens.

James went from being curious to being completely in love and upset when we'd have to leave or they'd have to move on. I'm hoping he continues that this trip just so my DH can see it since he wasn't there on this trip.

 

[ladylyons]

Here are picture's of the friends we made at Build a Bear....

Sarah's Bunny and Jeremy's Pirate Bear

James Mickey Bear and my Mickey dog

This is what is says on their foot

(Custom Made at Downtown Disney)

 

[ladylyons]

Since our next trip is coming up in just 2 short days we decided it was time to get James haircut for the first time. Poor babies hair was so long that it was literally going into his mouth anytime he'd eat. We tried waiting until he was 2 (like Jeremy) for the first one but it was just way too long.

Here are some pictures from before and after.

Before

After

Can't believe how grown up he looks afterwards!!