Our Life: 3 Days in Disneyland

So, we bought passes that gave us three days in Disney. We spent the first day in Disney, the second day in California Adventure, and the third day between the two. We went pretty much nonstop. The crowds were relatively small, so we got a lot of rides in. We were exahusted by the time we got home each night. Thanks for putting up with us, Phillips, we just wanted to see everything.

We picked the perfect time of year to go. The crowds were not bad, we never had to wait more than 30 minutes for a ride, and the weather was nice.

We are officially in Disney!

Kailyn showing off her "1st time to Disneyland" button.

Waiting to see Tinker Bell. As part of our passes we got in early one day, so we decided to see a few characters when there was zero lines (and then we hit the rides).

Caden, Taevin, Taiya, Jordan

Kailyn thought she was too big to get a picture. Nice try!

Riding the carousel.

While the other kids went on some rides, Ava got to see the princesses. She was SO excited. Unfortunately, I almost missed it. Hannah had a blow-out (something she hasn't had in ages) I had to go and take care of it. This was the beginning of diarrhea that lasted the whole trip for Hannah (luckily no one else got it). I just barely got back in line with Liora and Ava before they went in but, sadly, this means Hannah didn't get in any of the pictures because I didn't have a change of clothes for her. Ava, on seeing the princesses, "Mom, is that really Cinderella?" My response, "well, see for yourself. She's right there." Ava began hyperventilating with excitement. Wish I had caught that moment on camera.

Ava said that Belle was her favorite.

Here I am on my first ride at Disney. Yep--it broke down. We were stuck in the hot sun FOREVER (okay, about 20 minutes, but it seemed like forever)! We asked if we could just get out (we were a foot from the end of the platform), but they said they couldn't allow it. The good news was that we scored fast passes for our whole group to any ride (even rides that don't normally accept fast passes)

Waiting in line is not so bad when you get to do it with friends.

Caden, Chase, Taevin

Taiya, Jordan, Kailyn

Unfortunately, just as we got to the front of the line for Indiana Jones (literally we were at the gate to get on the ride), that ride broke down, too. It seemed to be a theme that followed us around on the first day. But, we were able to get back and ride it a little later.

Liora was kind enough to sit out with Hannah on one of the rides. Oh, and there is Hannah in the new outfit we had to buy after her blowout (you know the one she had just before getting to see the princesses). Good thing she absolutely LOVES it. I have never spent so much on a pair of pajamas.

Got a picture with a storm trooper. We had to be fast with such a large group, which meant we didn't get everyone to look.

From front to back. Taiya, Jordan, Jenessa, Kailyn, Taevin, Caden

From front to back: Shad, Liora, Chase, Heber, Ava (can't see), and Ken.

I was out with Hannah but got to ride it later in our trip. Hannah enjoying some naan bread.

Trying to get the sword out of the stone.

Ava

Caden

The kids loved this ride (Autopia). There was basically no line so we rode this one over and over. The kids loved being able to drive. I remember this ride from when I was a kid.

Chase, Hannah, Me

Ava, Caden, Ken

So we were debating whether to stay for the parade or not and ultimately decide to stay. I am SO glad we did. It was amazing! I don't know if it is always this big or if it was bigger because of it being their 60th birthday, but it was spectacular. Pictures don't even remotely do it justice.

Ava totally made it worth it. Hearing and seeing her excitement was the best part of the whole day. She especially got excited when the float with the princesses came. It was truly a magically day for her and thus for us.

Ava with Belle in the background

The downside to seeing the parade-it was late by the time we finally got to our car.

Day 2
We spent the second day at California Adventure. The crowds were so small. It was really weird. We could get off a ride, go back to get in line and wait 2-3 minutes and then ride it again. We didn't complain!

Here are Ava and Hannah riding the carousel while the big kids went on the roller coaster (California Screamin').

Hannah was not impressed by this ride. (It was the caterpillar ride in the kiddie part of the park)

The kids started getting wise to the photos and started doing silly things. Here they are acting like this is a boring ride. Meanwhile, I am behind them yelling my head off.

I was hesitant to take Ava on The Tower of Terror ride because it sounded kind of scary (especially after Taevin freaked out just before boarding and had to leave, and he has ridden it before). Boy was I wrong. Ava loved it! She even rode it a second time and at the end of the trip said it was her favorite ride in all of Disneyland.

Finally, got a group shot...well, almost, we are missing Liora and Hannah (who is sleeping in the stroller)

Getting ready to ride the Tower of Terror.

Riding the bumper cars.

Chase had run into one of the strollers and hurt his back. Hannah was the first one there to comfort him.

The Cars ride.

Caden and Chase

Caden in foreground racing Liora, Jordan (can't see), Taiya (can't see), Jenessa, Kailyn, and Ava (in the back of other car).

Taking a little break while we decide what to do next.

Dancing with the army guys.

While we were waiting for everyone to ride the Cars ride, a little girl came up to Hannah and gave her this turtle. It was the nicest thing ever. It kept Hannah happy for a long time.

Her favorite game with the turtle? Dropping him through the slats.

The Little Mermaid ride was fun for some. Others were underwhelmed.

Day 3
The kids even loved the Lego store we saw on the way into the park.

Chase

Caden

On a jungle ride.

Hannah loved the animals. (OK so they were fake but she still thought they were great)

There were some scary natives we had to be careful of.

Ken generously offered to take the two girls for a while so I could ride on some of the rides I had missed out on while I was watching the girls.

Ken was glad to have someone to ride on "It's a Small World" with him.

There was a Jedi training demonstration. A few of our kids got chosen to train to become a Jedi.

Jordan on the right.

After their training they got to fight Darth Vader and Darth Maul. I wondered if Ava would get scared. Nope. She did awesome.

Receiving their final instructions.

Sadly, the picture of Chase fighting didn't turn out, but here he is becoming a Jedi with Ava (can't really see her because of Jordan's hand) and Jordan front and center.