Friday, June 17, 2011

Disney Palooza

Our last visit until school starts for the Fall.  So, we did it right!

Anticipation......



Really, Lainey and Jack?  It's the happiest place on earth, damn it!



One of Lainey's favorites......Snow White in Fantasy Land.  The 'wickedy' witch above peaks out of the window in timed intervals.  Below is a shot from inside the ride. 

The famed Jungle Cruise.  I could recite the script these guys use to throw in numerous double entendres.  It's painfully NOT funny, which makes it funny.


Day 1 took us out of the park early to shop in downtown Disney.

We walked through one of the few "Disney" hotels.  Fabulous.

Love Roxy.


Checked in shortly after, took naps and the kids woke to find that the vacation fairy had left gifts.  Pool toys, candy, snacks for Disneyland, bubbles, etc.  (Money saving tip......disguise inexpensive snacks for the park to avoid costly Churros and such!)

Took a dip in the pool and hot tub.

She's so gangsta.

Maybe not.


The hit of their loot.  Dinosaur squirt guns.

Back at the park.....we awaited their second and final 'suprise'.

My good friend, Allison, brought her two kiddos up from San Diego to join us for the evening.  They were elated!

Did I mention Day 1 was crowded?




These little faces make it all worth it. 

Jack's not typically a hand holder of anyone other than me. 


He also tends to deflect the ladies.



And, Cailyn is out.  Off to the hotel for sleep.  So nice to have this luxury......we don't always stay overnight.....but it certainly adds a little magic (and convenience for me).

With Allison before departing.


After a morning swim, we had breakfast and started off the day at California Adventure.  The Little Mermaid ride is brand new and super hyped.


See that 'wait' time?  Ugh.  Luckily, both parks were not as crowded as the day before.

Kiddos rested peacefully during the wait.  Shut up, Coco.

While in line, you either chat with strangers or keep to yourself.  I noticed the girls behind us were wearing Bobs.  Umh......aren't they called Toms?  Turns out Bobs came first......and give 2 pairs per one purchase......and are slightly peeved at Toms for designing the exact same shoe and throwing in a better PR campaign, obviously.  Haven't looked all of this up yet.  But, I love a good controversy.

This just in.....Carrie Brantley, researcher extraordinaire, just sent me 2 links to the Bobs/Toms debate.  Here is a good one.

Seems that Skechers owns Bobs and has been making donations to the Soles4Souls Foundation....prior to the Toms imitation shoes launching.  They're not clear on the exact process, however.

Either way.......aren't both companies GIVING and that should remain the focus?

Moving on.  Finally made it to the ride.  Similar set up to the Haunted Mansion.....and it was the typical story-telling fashion of many Disney rides.

Kids loved it.  I'll wait until the line settles to go again.

I very much prefer Disneyland over California Adventure.

We stopped for some cotton candy in one of the ice cream parlors.  Alice and the Mad Hatter were just outside.


She waited patiently.


The staff make Disney magical.  Although, they often bring out the worst in people.  I get it......you spent a fortune on vacation......and want to meet all the characters.  I've been there.  But, a 40 year old man pushing a 3 year old over to get to a woman dressed up like Alice puts you on my 'asshole' list.

Yes, there is a list.  Blake's actually on it right now. 

Back to Alice.

I often wonder if the characters see people behaving badly and migrate towards the more reasonable ones.  Like Lainey.


They were fantastic and personal, as all Disney characters are.  They danced with Lainey and actually called over to Peter Pan, nearby signing autographs, to ask if he was jealous of their time with Laine.  Cute.


Sweet Lainey turned into mega-brat Lainey, so we put her down for a nap. 



Carter took Jack on Whinnie the Pooh.


We cruised around the park a while longer before it turned dark.  Love all the random little touches throughout.

Carter linked up with the nerd heard (Disney fanatics that trade pins) and traded a Vinylmation.  I keep encouraging him to look up the value of each b/c I'm always afraid he's going to get ripped off b/c he's holding some limited edition Mickey.  These guys run up to hundreds of dollars.  He says he doesn't care and that he only wants to trade for his preferences instead of value.  Ok with me.


In addition to the Mermaid ride opening at California Adventure, a new version of Star Tours debuted.  This one had an even longer wait.  No fanks.


I want one of these for Lainey's room.


Caroline sent the punks gift cards for Easter.  They spent every penny.

Two notes:

If you ever want to make our kids happy, send them Disney gift cards.  We do not buy souvenirs......so this allows them to.

Jack is not actually being choked in the picture below.  It just looks that way.


Parade time!  A new one.......which is a good thing......because we had seen the last at least a dozen times.


Lainey and Jack always find friends to play with while waiting the hour plus wait. 

And, Lainey is sure she's on stage.  Twirling her little princess self into oblivion.


The parade was good.  A total change from the previous and more princesses.




My new favorite style for Lainey........simple braids pulled back on each side into buns.


One of my favorites.....


Wait.  Is that Carter or Lainey?


Fireworks while waiting for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Trying to get in more pictures these days.  Laine doesn't always cooperate.


Dinosaurs.


10:30pm rolled around.  Kids were tired.  We headed back to San Diego.

Yall still here?

Kudos on making it to the end!

I'm off to wrangle kids for the day before Blake arrives home from Vegas this evening. 
Enjoy your Father's Day.  Cheers to all the great Dads out there!

20 comments:

Shannon said...

Do those rides with long waits not have FASTPASSes? Those wait times give me huge anxiety. We've almost never waited over 20 minutes. btw, Star Tours 2 is awesome and you will love it.

starnes family said...

Mermaid is not set up for Fast Passes yet. Star Wars was, I think......but Carter still didn't want to wait.

We don't wait often, either.......only rookies do that. :)

Dee Stephens said...

I was thinking the same thing about a fast pass for Mermaid. Hmm..
Remember I worked at the Florida MGM park in college and yes, after seeing the same parade time after time gets old as does the music.
Love Lainey and the other girls in their princess costumes!
This was a mega post but good! thanks for sharing!

Dee Stephens said...

Oh.. one more thing. I can't believe you like Disneyland over CA Adventures! I love the CA park!

Katherine said...

I am very excited to see a sneak preview of the Little Mermaid ride!! Disney World is opening one at the end of the year, I think. Also Beast's castle and a new restaurant called Be Our Guest! I can't wait until the Fantasyland expansion is complete!

donatelli98 said...

Man I am tired just reading your post! You rock as a mom - you win my coolest of the year!

Monica said...

Enjoyed all the great pictures of the precious kids. Thanks for sharing!

Mocha Princess Aurora said...

Awww! Looks like you had a blast! I REALLY need to get back out to Cali! Its been almost 20 years since I was at DL!

The new Star Tours is AMAZING! I have ridden a few times here in WDW and got to be part of the preview rides before they opened! Carter will ADORE it!!! Its worth the wait! For a fan at least ;)

I am heavily involved in the Pin Trading/Vinyl trading community here in Orlando so if you have any questions about what Carter finds I would love to help :) I dont collect (except what I like) but I am well versed :) Any time that I can help I would Love to! Just shoot me an email :) auroraboriealice@gmail.com

As for the print of It's a Small World... You can find them at the Art of Disney stores here in Orlando... I don't know if they have them at DLR.... But I found a print on Ebay :)
http://bit.ly/jtHj7y

Kelly Beatty said...

I freaking LOVE your kids. They are absolute dolls. I like the choking pic of Jack. Sweet to see you in more pics too. Fanks!

Lauren W said...

Love it. We are already planning to head back to Disney World next year even though we just went last September. It is just so darn..... magical for lack of a better word.

Peter Pan is my favorite ride. And I think Jungle Cruise is fantastically awful.

Love Jack's shirt!

Julie {Angry Julie Monday} said...

You crack me up...our passes are expired right now. Everytime I think about renewing the passes, I will remember the crowds in your pictures. And I need to trade in my TOMS and get some of those BOBS, lol...

Kittie Flyn said...

My oh My! Crazy! Such cute photos...it looks like fun was had by all. I'm super jealous that you got to ride the Star Wars ride. I love those kind of rides!!!

Your kids...I've said it before but I have to say it again...they are so so so adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lenzers said...

can't believe you waited in that line while holding kids!!!! what are you getting for fathers day?

Merry Mack said...

I am so intrigued by the Bobs. Interesting. I love Disney. Even the waiting. It is such a magical place and you are right, watching the kids faces are the best. It looks like super fun. You are super mom for flying solo at an amusement park during the summer. Great surprises too. Thanks for stopping by new blogging place.

Jodee Leader said...

It looks like you had loads of fun! Cute pictures of the punks!

P.S. I would have to take medication before going. The crowds and 75 minute wait would do me in! I hope I can talk my two into a Disney cruise some day or I am going to send them with you!

Merry Mack said...

Had to come back and look at the post. A new observation: I love Carter's Marley shirt balanced with Jack's Sister for Sale shirt. Awesome.

The small world picture made me remember that I have a friend, whose father was a cartoonist for Disney back in the day and she has some of his originals of castles and such in her daughters bedrooms. Pretty cool!

Last, I saw this and thought of you:
http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/2011/06/beach-baby-birthday-party.html

starnes family said...

LOVE, Mrs Merry Mack! So cute. Those cookies are too cute to eat!

Kim said...

Awesome, I admire you for doing this trip all by yourself, you are one cool mama! Looks like so much fun!

Coco said...

Something is wrong with you.

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