Our Spring Break Trip with 3 kids 6 and younger

[ladylyons]

My son loves EVERYTHING! DD loves thrill rides, but dislikes the dark rides. She's hated POTC and Haunted Mansion. Can't get enough of BTMRR, Space Mountain, or Goofy's Sky School. Was so mad that she wasn't tall enough for Screamin'. It was DS's favorite, and he rode it many times. She made it well known each time that she was not happy that she wasn't tall enough!

We went to WDW's Toontown when ds was almost 3 and dd was 18 months. They didn't really remember it. Just had a vague idea of "we're supposed to be able to see Mickey and Minnie's houses. Why can't we?" But, DLR's version puts WDW's to shame. However, it was nice to have the option at WDW. It was still a fun/cute area. Especially for the littler ones.

Ok good to know. Even though my oldest has been going to DL since he was 6 weeks old and my younger 2 since they were 3 months old (we brought them on everything that they could ride) my only one that loves everything is Jeremy. Sarah kept wanting her height to be checked because she just couldn't wait to get on the rides like BTMRR, Space, etc., but once the time came she didn't want to ride them. She did ride BTMRR over New year's but wasn't a fan of it. Went threw the line at Space and backed out (luckily I was at the exit ready to get her just in case). She also rode RSR and liked it until the fast part (the race) as she called it. I even told her Mommy drives faster than that but she still wasn't to thrilled with it. All I can do is keep trying because their opinions change and she may like them next time. Oh and she did love Matterhorn until they changed the height requirement but now she's too short to get on it and is actually sad about it.

That is hard trying to explain to little one's why they can't see something. The only time Jeremy and Sarah got to see Toontown in WDW they were way to young to even think about remembering it. Jeremy was 27 months old and Sarah was 9 months old. And of course we were there during all the rain that happened in May 2009. It is nice to have all sorts of different options but from all the pictures I've seen the New Fantasyland does look great!!

It is a ways off but who knows it may come sooner.

 

[kaoden39]

I am definitely going next April. Kacy wants to celebrate her 21st birthday with me in DTD! Makes me feel good to know she wants to do that with me.

 

[ladylyons]

I am definitely going next April. Kacy wants to celebrate her 21st birthday with me in DTD! Makes me feel good to know she wants to do that with me.

That's awesome that she want's to do that with you and that you've got a trip to plan!!! I hope my DD still wants to do Disney with me when she gets older!! But I've got a long time to go before she turns 21! We actually really liked going in April so we may be changing up when we normally go. But if we do that then that means I have to find somewhere else to go for Christmas because I refuse to be home for Christmas!! I love my in-laws but refuse to track my kids between 3 different households in one day!

 

[kaoden39]

That's awesome that she want's to do that with you and that you've got a trip to plan!!! I hope my DD still wants to do Disney with me when she gets older!! But I've got a long time to go before she turns 21! We actually really liked going in April so we may be changing up when we normally go. But if we do that then that means I have to find somewhere else to go for Christmas because I refuse to be home for Christmas!! I love my in-laws but refuse to track my kids between 3 different households in one day!

I am thrilled she wants to go with me. It was her idea too! That makes it more special to me. So her and I are saving. She wants to stay onsite so it will be quite a bit more. I get it. I am all for not visiting all the relatives in one day. We used to do that when our kids were little. It wasn't fun for anyone. It is hard on the kids, by the time the day is done everyone is miserable. What about going towards the snow for Christmas?

 

[ladylyons]

I am thrilled she wants to go with me. It was her idea too! That makes it more special to me. So her and I are saving. She wants to stay onsite so it will be quite a bit more. I get it. I am all for not visiting all the relatives in one day. We used to do that when our kids were little. It wasn't fun for anyone. It is hard on the kids, by the time the day is done everyone is miserable. What about going towards the snow for Christmas?

That's going to make the trip even more special for both of you!! Yeah we normally don't stay onsite due to price. The last time we did was when Jeremy was 5 weeks old and it was his first official trip outside the belly!

What made me decide to not be home for Christmas was a comment my mother in law made to my DH and I one Thanksgiving before we had kids. She was given her choice of us coming over in the morning (around 10 am) or the afternoon (around 2 pm). She chose morning knowing we were going to my father in law's at the other time. Well when it came time to leave her comment was "Why do you have to go over there? Just stay here." Uhhh hello you were given your choice and you chose morning. Sorry you don't agree with it but you guys have been divorced since DH was 7 years old, get over it!!!! That was the day I told DH once we have kids I'm not dragging them all over Timbuktu to please everyone so we are going to Disneyland where we can have a nice relaxing time with our little family.

 

[kaoden39]

That's going to make the trip even more special for both of you!! Yeah we normally don't stay onsite due to price. The last time we did was when Jeremy was 5 weeks old and it was his first official trip outside the belly!

What made me decide to not be home for Christmas was a comment my mother in law made to my DH and I one Thanksgiving before we had kids. She was given her choice of us coming over in the morning (around 10 am) or the afternoon (around 2 pm). She chose morning knowing we were going to my father in law's at the other time. Well when it came time to leave her comment was "Why do you have to go over there? Just stay here." Uhhh hello you were given your choice and you chose morning. Sorry you don't agree with it but you guys have been divorced since DH was 7 years old, get over it!!!! That was the day I told DH once we have kids I'm not dragging them all over Timbuktu to please everyone so we are going to Disneyland where we can have a nice relaxing time with our little family.

The last time we stayed onsite as a family was in 2007, and the next family trip was in 2010 and we stayed at Stovall's Best Western. It was a huge step down. I went back in 2011 with my best friend and stayed at the DLH after the restoration and the rooms were so nice. Scotty and I stayed at the Ayre's for our second honeymoon and I actually prefer it to onsite.

I don't blame you. That is not fun and it is not something the kids need to experience.

 

[mommy2mrb]

finally caught up! you did great getting so much done that first morning! jealous you got to meet Merida...both times we went to meet her the line was way to long...I did get a photo (BAD) of her in between meeting other people.
love all the photos of the kids, cute that Minnie is doing a tea party photo op now!

happy you had a fun Easter and another visit to the park! DL was pretty quiet on Easter too, was so nice...the rest of the week was busy!

 

[ladylyons]

The last time we stayed onsite as a family was in 2007, and the next family trip was in 2010 and we stayed at Stovall's Best Western. It was a huge step down. I went back in 2011 with my best friend and stayed at the DLH after the restoration and the rooms were so nice. Scotty and I stayed at the Ayre's for our second honeymoon and I actually prefer it to onsite.

I don't blame you. That is not fun and it is not something the kids need to experience.

We actually enjoy staying at the Anaheim Plaza. It's walking distance and the rooms are huge compared to other's we've stayed in.

finally caught up! you did great getting so much done that first morning! jealous you got to meet Merida...both times we went to meet her the line was way to long...I did get a photo (BAD) of her in between meeting other people.
love all the photos of the kids, cute that Minnie is doing a tea party photo op now!

happy you had a fun Easter and another visit to the park! DL was pretty quiet on Easter too, was so nice...the rest of the week was busy!

Glad your here and finally feeling better!! Our morning wasn't quite done yet!!! I planned on doing another update today but was dealing with a sick 2 year old. Thankfully he seems to be doing better tonight because I'll be in Sarah's school tomorrow and Jeremy's on Wednesday so I don't have time for sickness!!

Thanks! They can be pretty cute at times!! I did like the tea party photo op but Sarah wouldn't stand next to her like she normally would for some reason!!

That's great that DL was quiet on Easter! Not surprised that the rest of the week was busy though!! I had a couple friends that I've known since elementary school that were down there the same time you were and they were talking about the crowds on FB.

 

[ladylyons]

After James decided he hated Gadget’s Go Coaster we headed over to the new Princess area. We had some princesses my DD was dying to meet!! So we head over there and she’s just in love with the whole new area. Sarah found her way over by the theatre and was talking to the CM’s outside the show and showing off her Belle outfit. They all told her she had to come back later and show Belle her outfit because she would just love it!! By this time it was around 10:45 am or so and the next showing of Tangled was going to start at 11:05 am. So we decided why not. Jeremy wasn’t to thrilled to sit and wait for it and neither was James so DH took the boys and did I think Jungle Cruise. He sent me a text telling me that he found the crowds!! Sarah found a spot on the carpet to watch the show and I sat back on the benches. Now let’s sit back and enjoy Tangled….

These guys were HILARIOUS!!!

See the girl on the far left in the green dress on stage. Remember her…..

Rapunzel realizes she IS the Missing Princess!!!

Rapunzel reunited with her parent’s.

And they lived Happily Ever After!!!

I will admit it was a cheesy show too but it was pretty cute and the kids absolutely loved it!!!! But the best part is about to come…..

 

[ladylyons]

After the show we had the opportunity to meet Rapunzel and Flynn. Since we’ve never met Flynn before and Rapunzel only once it was something we just had to do. Now I did have a moment of near panic here because after the show it gets to be a little chaotic with kids going one way, parent’s going another and some people leaving. I told Sarah to head to the right of the stage after the show and I’d meet her there. Being a 4 year old she kind of forgot that and tried to follow some off the people out of the show!!!! Thank goodness the CM’s manning the exit remembered her from earlier and kept her there until I got there. It’s not a big theatre but it’s still a very scary moment for anyone to think they have just lost their child!!! I was almost in tears when I didn’t find her at first! I looked where she had been sitting, I looked where I told her to meet me, I looked everywhere never thinking she’d try to leave!!! As I walked up to talk to the CM’s they go There’s your Mommy!!!! She was as calm as could be!!! I thanked them so much for making sure she didn’t leave and they told me They remembered her from before the show and saw she wasn’t with me or DH so she wasn’t going anywhere.

So back to the line we went. I was going to head to the end but the people who I was with at the beginning told me that’s where I should be and everyone around them agreed so we ended up being the 3rd or 4th family to meet them. Now on to Sarah meeting Flynn for the first time and Rapunzel for the 2nd time:

Telling them she is 4.

Sarah asked Flynn what’s in your bag? He asked the crowd what they thought was in it and before anyone could answer Sarah goes “THE CROWN!!”

I missed the crown!!! He pulled it out for a split second and that’s when my camera decided not to take the quick shot pictures. DARN IT!!! Oh well always next time!!

After the show we walked out into the courtyard and saw this little show going on. They were teaching the little girls and boys how to be princesses and lords. They did the wave, blowing kisses and curtsying. Then they did a little parade. It was really cute.

Remember her? Sarah just loved her!! She was the sweetest thing (and we see her again later)!!

Up next…. Even more magic in the making!!!

 

[ladylyons]

After the Rapunzel show we met back up with DH and had a little lunch. (No picture’s! Horrible I know!!) While Sarah and I were waiting to meet Rapunzel DH texted me and said him and the boys were getting lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland and to meet him there when we were done. We got over there and I had a burger, fries and large sprite. I think DH also had a burger, fries and soda and DS had a kids pizza with apples and chocolate milk. James was happy just eating some fries and apples and Sarah was happy with some fries and the carrots!! That girl can put some carrots away! After lunch DH decided to head back to the hotel room with the boys and I was going to stay behind with Sarah to watch the Belle show. I don’t remember everything we did but we did stop in front of the castle for some pictures:

Then some also in the Princess area: She loves to pose at times and she loved showing off her dancing moves!! (No she is not in any sort of dance but this made me realize I need to put her into some classes!!)

By this point it was about 12:30 pm and we just passing the time before it was time to line up for the first Belle show at 2 pm. We checked out the Princess shop, went to the restroom and ran into our favorite girl again!! She asked Sarah if we were going to see the Belle show. When Sarah told her yes she said to make sure we see Belle after the show because she would love to see Sarah’s outfit. After that we went over to check out the wait time for the Princesses but was told it was about a 25 min wait. We decided to pass because we had been warned by our friendly CM’s that the first show fills up quick so it would be best to line up about 30 - 45 mins before show time or to just wait for the 2nd one then we could probably line up about 15 – 20 mins before time. We ended up just going to line up for the show and was the 3rd family in line!! While waiting Sarah told me she was thirsty so instead of both of us getting out of line she got to be a big girl and go get us a bottle water by herself (even though the people around us told me they’d hold our spot)!!! I could see her the whole time and she actually didn’t go very far from where I was (about 20 feet?). She was so excited that she got to do that. It was pretty cute to watch. About 30 mins before the show we were let into the theatre. Sarah went straight for the carpets in front of the stage and I went for the first row of benches.

As we were waiting Sarah’s favorite friend spotted her and I could just tell she was very happy to see Sarah there. She even took Sarah over to one of her friends and showed off her outfit. They all got a good laugh out of the fact that Gaston was on the back of Sarah’s skirt so she was always sitting on him!!

After a little bit of a wait and making some new friends from Canada and Hawaii it was time for Beauty and the Beast. So let’s sit back and enjoy the show:

These guys are back..

The star of the show… BELLE!!

Check out Belle’s book…

Gaston!

Belle had a problem with “Gaston” being too short and not muscular enough so these two were following his every move with melons (muscles) and a box to fix that problem. Lol

Luminere!

 

[ladylyons]

The rose and the Beast makes his appearance:

Teaching the Beast how to be polite and proper.

Belle’s back and I loved her dress!!! I think it was a different material than the one’s she wears in the park.

Falling in love:

I loved this shot!!

Uh oh!! Gaston’s back!

Belle telling the Beast she loves him.

The magic happening:

And they lived Happily Ever After!!

The Piano guy! He was pretty good!

Up next... My Princess meets her favorite Princess of all time!!!

 

[ladylyons]

This time after the show Sarah knew exactly where to go so she met me there. We were once again the 3rd family in line!!! The first family had about 5 or 6 little girls ranging in age from about 4 – 9 (I think they were cousins) and had a pretty cute meet. Belle signed their books and smiled for pictures. 2nd family goes up same thing.

Then my Princess goes up, Belle poofs out her dress and sits on the ground and the next thing I hear is: Princess Sarah!! I’m so glad you made it to the show!!! I love your dress!!! (Remember our friend with the green dress? I have a feeling she pulled a little magic of her own because when Sarah went up all I said was it’s your turn Princess!!!) They had a great conversation about her outfit, the show and all that we’ve been doing. Let’s just say the tears were falling on my face!!

She was a very pretty Belle!!

Sarah could not get enough of her!!! As we were leaving Sarah told Belle bye and she turned towards her, blew her a kiss and said Good Bye Princess Sarah!! (I still can’t believe I missed that shot!!!!)

I happened to turn and saw our friend and she just smiled and waved. I said thank you and still had tears running down my face!!! After that magical encounter we went and got fastpasses for later that night for Star Tours and Space Mountain (sorry don’t remember our return times.) Then it was off to the hotel for naps for Sarah and I. We had a very fun filled morning with some memories that can probably never be recreated!!

Up next…. What was I thinking letting a 2 year old drive!!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Love all your photos of Fantasy faire! we loved the cheesiness of the shows! Mr. Jones and Mr. Smythe really have fun with their parts you got some great shots! so cool Sarah got so much pixie dust from the "maids" and Belle love that you and your girl had a memorable time together

 

[ladylyons]

Love all your photos of Fantasy faire! we loved the cheesiness of the shows! Mr. Jones and Mr. Smythe really have fun with their parts you got some great shots! so cool Sarah got so much pixie dust from the "maids" and Belle love that you and your girl had a memorable time together

Thanks! I loved the shows! We will be sure to do them again for sure!! Especially as long as they keep having Belle! I loved how the "maids" just took to Sarah too and gave her that extra little sprinkle of magic. I also loved their accents that they used!! We don't get much mommy/daughter time so this was a special treat for us!! Mr. Jones and Mr. Smythe did the little show in the courtyard too and they were just so much fun to watch!! Did you happen to notice who was on the cover of Belle's book?

 

[Jaina]

I kind of know what you mean about the dragging people back and forth thing. Almost every Christmas since we got married we have to split up every major holiday a little bit because our families are 10 minutes apart. No one (mostly) tries to make us feel bad or guilty, but we constantly feel torn between them!

Those princess shows look awesome! I'm sure my girls would think they were the best thing ever. Hopefully they're still going in some form in a few years when we go back! I got a touch teary-eyed reading about all the attention they gave Sarah too.

 

[ladylyons]

I kind of know what you mean about the dragging people back and forth thing. Almost every Christmas since we got married we have to split up every major holiday a little bit because our families are 10 minutes apart. No one (mostly) tries to make us feel bad or guilty, but we constantly feel torn between them!

Those princess shows look awesome! I'm sure my girls would think they were the best thing ever. Hopefully they're still going in some form in a few years when we go back! I got a touch teary-eyed reading about all the attention they gave Sarah too.

Yeah my in-laws live about the same distance away from each other (10 mins). They are on opposite sides of the same town. Then you throw my family in who lives about 45 mins away from us in the opposite direction from my in-laws who are about 30 mins away from us so I just refuse to do it.

They were!! I wish I would have videoed it but only took pictures this time. Thank you. Still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. My DH was actually kind of regretting bringing the boys back to the hotel since he missed it but who knows if she would have gotten the same attention if he was with us because he's kind of rush, rush, rush while I was all about the time with my princess at that point in time. Hoping to do more in the next day or so. Been dealing with a stomach bug since yesterday so I've been trying to go to bed at a decent hour.

 

[ladylyons]

Sorry for the lack of pictures but for some reason the camera didn't come out very much this night.

After a few hour nap and break we headed back to Disneyland. By this time it was probably around 6:30 pm and the parade was starting!! We had FP for Star Tours for 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm so we were cutting it pretty close coming into the park right when the parade started! And of course it was starting on Main Street!! The kids wanted to stop and watch it but we had to move or not make it in time for the parade. I promised them we would take the time to see it another day. They were good with that! So off down Main Street we went. We made it with a few mins to spare! It took us about 10 mins to get down Main Street because we had to wait for the break in the parade where they would let us cross which we almost missed because the group of people thought that would be the perfect spot to watch the parade from not realizing it was a crossing point!!

After making it to Star Tours and getting our rider swap I decided to see if I could find a spot for the Sarah, James and I to watch the parade from. I wasn’t expecting the best spots or anything like that since we were just walking up to it but was hoping for the best since I did see quite a few empty spots on Main Street (none right on the curb but we could have stood right behind sitting people without any problems. So we headed towards the entrance to Tomorrowland (which is a place to cross between the parade also.) But noticed that they had an area off to the side roped off with plenty of room for me, the 2 kids and the double stroller. I figured I’d hold James so he could see and let Sarah stand on the front seat of the stroller next to me (after I locked the wheels) and she’d be able to see fine. Then a very nice family was sitting at the rope noticed me with the 2 kids and Sarah trying to see around people and said she could come sit next to them if she’d like. I told them it was ok until Sarah looked at me and said please mommy. So I let her. I had to make sure she stayed behind the rope though because when they would let the crowd threw they wouldn’t watch where they were going and I was afraid she’d get stepped on. She never did luckily!! Since I was just enjoying the show I didn’t take any pictures expect for this one from my phone so I could post it on FB.

I think the Genie had a wardrobe malfunction.


But this is not the first time I’ve seen this parade so enjoy these from previous trip!!








I love the Genie!! He’s always so animated and fun!!






















These 2 are normally riding carousel horses but they weren’t riding them in the parade we watched either.








After the parade we went and pulled FP’s for Autopia, then went and found Nemo by riding the subs. By then our Autopia FP’s were good. For some reason Jeremy did not want to ride them so I was literally pulling him through the line. Still don’t understand why he was acting that way. It was decided that Sarah would ride with DH and the boys would ride with me. Since Jeremy was acting up I decided to let James drive!! WHAT WAS I THINKING!!

This was taken by my phone and I couldn’t get a clear shot at all!! He actually did pretty good!! I posted this on FB with the caption: What was I thinking letting a 2 year old drive!!!





Then since both kids wanted to drive I was able to just walk back up to the guy loading the cars and he put us into another car and Jeremy got to drive without us having to wait back through the line. Jeff and Sarah did not ride again.

Up next.. Uh oh where’s my earing???

 

[blessedmom4]

I am here....FINALLY saying it!! LOVE all of the pics and how cute is that pic of Jeremy driving! I thought you said you weren't gong to have to worry about drivers for 9 plus more years! Sarah's outfit is ADORABLE I really want one for Lisa! SO GLAD she saw her Belle!!!!

 

[ladylyons]

I am here....FINALLY saying it!! LOVE all of the pics and how cute is that pic of Jeremy driving! I thought you said you weren't gong to have to worry about drivers for 9 plus more years! Sarah's outfit is ADORABLE I really want one for Lisa! SO GLAD she saw her Belle!!!!

Glad you had the chance to come by!! I'm hoping to do a major update this weekend! Actually that was James driving. Jeremy was the passenger. Ok let me rephrase that... I won't have to worry about Jeremy driving without a track under him for at least 9 more years!! Thank you!!! She love's to dress up and that is one of her favorites!! Everyone that saw it commented on it and loved it! Belle especially loved talking to her about everyone that is on it. I'm also glad she got to also! If not I don't think I would have ever lived it down!!! I'd pass it on to Lisa but I think it's a little small!!