5 days in Disneyland

Holy Cow- we had a fantastic week! It was totally fun to take our 2 bright-eyed boys to the happiest place on earth- They were TOTAL troopers (i was too, if you ask me :) going most days (Bentley) without a nap and Everett managed to keep those beetie little eyes open till late evening- totaling ZERO naps for the entire week- he didn't miss a thing!! (((My parents took us and it was nice to have one last vacation with them as they will be leaving in April to Martin's Cove for an intense mission as Trek leaders!))) We decided that we needed a few days to really soak in the whole Disneyland experience and since they were (and still are- check it out!) offering a buy 3 days get 2 additional days for free, we had a whole 5 DAYS to take it easy and see everything that we could possibly want to. We were so lucky to get to go and since Warren had the week of Spring Break off- we couldn't resist!!!

so- here's a recap---

DISNEYLAND NEWBIES: Everett, Bentley and Warren 

WHERE WE STAYED: At the fabulous Marriott Anaheim- (and thanks Joel for the friends and fam discount- saved us a ton!)

1ST RIDE WE WENT ON:  Of course---- Buzz lightyear- 

2ND RIDE WE WENT ON: Again.... Buzz

3rd RIDE? Peter Pan!! and it was just as memorable as i remember from my childhood

LAST RIDE WE WENT ON: Peter Pan

BEST PLACE THAT WE ATE: The Blue Bayou in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride- It was so cool- the food was great- the atmosphere unforgettable and the prices? It's Disneyland-- what else can i say but Thanks Dad~ :) 

Although i have to add that the Rainforest Cafe was awesome in the Downtown Disney District, (and also that pizza joint by the Disney store) and the best (faster food) place to eat in the park was in New Orleans square- get their bread bowl with clam chowder- mmmmmm the best-

(Has anyone noticed how funny it is that McDonald's was only contracted out the sell fries and pop- i think it's soooo funny! Disneyland wants all the profit - :) 

RIDES THAT A 36 WEEK PREGO MAMA WASN't SUPPOSED TO RIDE BUT RODE ANYWAYS: (and was totally fine!!!)

Teacups

Soarin' over California

Dumbo

Autotopia

Space Mountain (Just kidding)

SHOWS THAT WE SAW:

Aladdin 

Playhouse Disney

It's tough to be a bug  (*favorite*)

Jedi Training Academy

Fantasmic

Parade of Dreams

Disney's Electric Parade

The Tiki Room

DISNEYLAND'S BEST KEPT SECRETS:

well there are 2-

1- We took advantage of the "single rider's" pass on Soarin' over California - You literally go to the front of the line- tell them you are a single rider- get a little ticket pass and cruise by all the 75 min. waiters who are staring you down and wondering "what the heck:" to a standby line- when the numbers work out so where there is a/ or a couple of empty spots then they  let you right in- Warren and i even sat by each other once- you still wait in line together- and once the ride starts who cares who you are by right?

2- Strollers.... okay, so we KNEW we didn't want to mess with strollers because the lil boys won;t stay in then anyways, then you have to deal with all the stroller parking, and let's not start in on trying to navigate one through all the people- so we opted out- WELL.... at the end of the night when they boys start wanting to be held, we realized that people leaving the park would just ditch their strollers by the way side and we had free roam- it was fantastic! we only used them at night and didn't have to pay a dime- then when we got on the tram to go back to our hotel, we just ditched it and didn't have to worry about it anymore- it was fantastic! ~

BIGGEST SURPRISE: My doctor (and everyone else who had 2 cents to offer a crazy prego woman embarking on this un-called for adventure so close to delivery time) warned me that my feet would swell up like balloons and they never did! They were sore no doubt- but the only balloons were Disney character heads (which i will never understand why people would buy a balloon and cart it around all day!!!) 

SURPRISE EXPENSE: We ended up renting a locker every day for our jackets- surprisingly it gets pretty dang chilly at night, and we were glad we paid that $7 bucks (times 5 days mind you)

BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Trying to save a spot for the Fantasmic show- People are INTENSE! i mean they have their spots laid out to the inch-- it was MANIA "Happiest" place on earth? Not an hour before Fantasmic starts!!

ALL THE ADULTS FAVORITE RIDE: Soarin' over  California

EVERETT'S FAVORITE RIDE: Buzz and Peter Pan and "Jack" (Pirates)

EVERETT"S LEAST FAVORITE RIDE: Just ask and he will scowl "Matterhorn" (the snowman was too much for him) Also (although he never rode it or even got close to it) the Tower of Terror- he hated even looking over at it! sooo funny!

BENTLEY'S FAVORITE RIDE: The Haunted Mansion folks- NO JOKE! He begged and begged to go on it "over and over" he said- he loved it- and we get to hear him sing the theme song over and over- *one of the cutest things that happened at Disneyland*

SOUVENIRS: We thought that the boys would want EVERYTHING and beg and be annoying, but they were little angels and we actually had to coax them to choose something on the last day- We ended up with 2 hats. 2 sunglasses, 2 ESPN ZONE shirts (one was for Warren) a darling Woody and Buzz over sized-Disney-style sippy cup- 2 swords-2 swords with candy 

 2 buzz laser shooters which are WAY too loud! Sorry neighbors :) and a Splash Mountain photo- WAY too funny of Warren and my dad at 10 pm (the line was only 5 mins then)

RIDES THAT WERE CLOSED: It's a small world and King Triton's Carousel

LAMEST RIDE EVER!!!: Autotopia- What a waste of space!!! All you do is push on the gas- whatever....

DISNEYLAND IN MARCH: Fantastic weather!! Sunday was hardly crowded at all- but March is the month of Spring breaks, so the other 4 days it was PACKED ! but we had 5 days so it wasn't frustrating for us and we were able to hit up some shows and attractions that we wouldn't of had time for or wanted to if we were trying to cram into a day or two- IF you are going to do it in March -stay a week- 

THANKS MOM AND DAD! WE HAD A GREAT TIME~~!!!!