It started out as an idea that for Christmas the kids were only going to get a couple of toys. Instead of tons of toys and other what- nots, we were going to give the kids a trip to Disney for Christmas. Great idea, the kids really don't need anymore what-nots.
Yeah, they still got plenty of those and the trip to Disneyland. What is it that they say about the best of intentions??? Oh well, we try.
Disneyland in January was such a welcome distraction. Sun, sun, and more sun. We really have had a mild winter here in the Northwest. But the key word there is WINTER. It still is cold, and it still is winter, mild or not. So to go to sunny Southern California was just what this family of four needed.
We started our trip staying at the Grand California on the Disney property. That is the way to go people. If you have younger kids, or honestly, just want someplace close to get away from the craziness and take a nap, stay close to the park! The kids loved it, Stan and I loved it. We couldn't of asked for a better experience with the hotel for sure. Plus it has bunk beds for the kids! So other than the fight of who got top bunk on what night, it was the coolest room a kid could ask for! And of course the perks of staying there included early admission to the park, discounts at merchandise stores, free pins and a lanyard to put them on if you pleased, and each kids had their own room key WITH their name on it! We could of skipped everything else and just handed them their room keys they thought it was so cool. Oh and despite the fight over whose room key would open the door, and who got to push what button on the elevator because "you get to use your key to open the door", it was a great souvenir to bring home.
Drew is tall enough to ride pretty much any ride now, Nicolas can ride most of them and the ones he isn't tall enough for, he probably wouldn't ride anyway. With the only exception being the Indiana Jones ride. He really wanted to go on that one and wasn't able to. But we made up for it with Space Mountain and Splash Mountain! Poor kid, We never really explained the rides. We just made a big deal about him being tall enough to ride them! He was scared senseless on Space Mountain. The dark did him in. As evidenced in the pictures that follow this post, you will see the poor kid being tortured while the rest of us shout with glee. I feel like a horrible Mom. You should of seen him on Tower of Terror! He thought we were just going on the elevator to get out of the spooky hotel lobby. Then it started and I heard nothing but Stan laughing harder than I have heard him laugh in a long time. Once we were done, I hear...."is the ride over?" More laughs from Stan. The other people on the park turn around to look at us and all "Ohhhhh" "poor kid!" I look over and see a pale white Nicolas with tears streaming down his face. "Is it over Mommy?" Then later, "you know, Tower of Terrriiiirrrr really messed up my brain!" Every time we got near it after that it was "please no, please no!" We do a great job of parenting.
After three days at Disney/California Adventure we hit Universal Studios. Saw all the Universal stars..ie: Spongebob, Shrek and Donkey, Dora and Diego, Curious George, Jurassic Park etc. etc. It was fun and the kids loved seeing all the cool characters. I got sick on the Simpsons ride though, and for whatever reason this place has it in their minds that spraying its guests with water on a lot of the attractions is a good time. But, we did enjoy ourselves so they are doing a few things pretty well.
Our last day was spent at Manhattan Beach soaking up the sunshine and relaxing. The kids were playing in the waves, Stan and I were sitting in the sand, just thinking about how great it would be to be able to have a little 1.5 million dollar shack there to vacation at. Ahhh, the good life. People kept commenting on how cold the water was and how they couldn't believe our kids were out belly deep in the water. Silly people, have you been to the Oregon Coast??? We laugh at your "cold" water. Come up north, we can show you some cold water. This was just right.
Sadly the trip had to end and we headed for LAX. I had lost my drivers license somewhere on the way down, but lucky for us in LA if you have a gold American Express, they let you through security. So we made it home safe and sound. Back to our waiting yellow dog and the cold winter. It took me a good five days to get out of my vacation "hangover" and another few to accept the fact that it really isn't summer yet.
But we had a great time and can't wait for our next trip! This time I am trying to convince the kids Hawaii would be even better than Disneyland!!
Now, enjoy some pictures:
The view from our room at Grand California:
The excitement of the bunkbeds brings out the gangsta in our kids:
The standard picture in front of the castle: Yes Nicolas is in a stroller because if you remember from a previous post he is allergic to walking long distances.
The Matterhorn! Is that spelled right?
Stan and the kids with I think Dale of Chip and Dale:
Me and the kiddos with Minnie Mouse!
Drew soaking up the fun on a ride!
Nicolas, just a little worried after he lost his trust in us:
Stan and kids in California Adventure:
With Shrek at Universal Studios:
Creepy picture of the kids as Padme and Anakin from Star Wars.
Check out poor Nicolas! He did want to do this one again though! Drew just had a blast and I was apparently too cool to take my sunglasses off......
This is the look of terror on a four year olds face! Poor little man! Drew was pretty funny too!
PS...click on the pictures to get the full effect!
Yeah, they still got plenty of those and the trip to Disneyland. What is it that they say about the best of intentions??? Oh well, we try.
Disneyland in January was such a welcome distraction. Sun, sun, and more sun. We really have had a mild winter here in the Northwest. But the key word there is WINTER. It still is cold, and it still is winter, mild or not. So to go to sunny Southern California was just what this family of four needed.
We started our trip staying at the Grand California on the Disney property. That is the way to go people. If you have younger kids, or honestly, just want someplace close to get away from the craziness and take a nap, stay close to the park! The kids loved it, Stan and I loved it. We couldn't of asked for a better experience with the hotel for sure. Plus it has bunk beds for the kids! So other than the fight of who got top bunk on what night, it was the coolest room a kid could ask for! And of course the perks of staying there included early admission to the park, discounts at merchandise stores, free pins and a lanyard to put them on if you pleased, and each kids had their own room key WITH their name on it! We could of skipped everything else and just handed them their room keys they thought it was so cool. Oh and despite the fight over whose room key would open the door, and who got to push what button on the elevator because "you get to use your key to open the door", it was a great souvenir to bring home.
Drew is tall enough to ride pretty much any ride now, Nicolas can ride most of them and the ones he isn't tall enough for, he probably wouldn't ride anyway. With the only exception being the Indiana Jones ride. He really wanted to go on that one and wasn't able to. But we made up for it with Space Mountain and Splash Mountain! Poor kid, We never really explained the rides. We just made a big deal about him being tall enough to ride them! He was scared senseless on Space Mountain. The dark did him in. As evidenced in the pictures that follow this post, you will see the poor kid being tortured while the rest of us shout with glee. I feel like a horrible Mom. You should of seen him on Tower of Terror! He thought we were just going on the elevator to get out of the spooky hotel lobby. Then it started and I heard nothing but Stan laughing harder than I have heard him laugh in a long time. Once we were done, I hear...."is the ride over?" More laughs from Stan. The other people on the park turn around to look at us and all "Ohhhhh" "poor kid!" I look over and see a pale white Nicolas with tears streaming down his face. "Is it over Mommy?" Then later, "you know, Tower of Terrriiiirrrr really messed up my brain!" Every time we got near it after that it was "please no, please no!" We do a great job of parenting.
After three days at Disney/California Adventure we hit Universal Studios. Saw all the Universal stars..ie: Spongebob, Shrek and Donkey, Dora and Diego, Curious George, Jurassic Park etc. etc. It was fun and the kids loved seeing all the cool characters. I got sick on the Simpsons ride though, and for whatever reason this place has it in their minds that spraying its guests with water on a lot of the attractions is a good time. But, we did enjoy ourselves so they are doing a few things pretty well.
Our last day was spent at Manhattan Beach soaking up the sunshine and relaxing. The kids were playing in the waves, Stan and I were sitting in the sand, just thinking about how great it would be to be able to have a little 1.5 million dollar shack there to vacation at. Ahhh, the good life. People kept commenting on how cold the water was and how they couldn't believe our kids were out belly deep in the water. Silly people, have you been to the Oregon Coast??? We laugh at your "cold" water. Come up north, we can show you some cold water. This was just right.
Sadly the trip had to end and we headed for LAX. I had lost my drivers license somewhere on the way down, but lucky for us in LA if you have a gold American Express, they let you through security. So we made it home safe and sound. Back to our waiting yellow dog and the cold winter. It took me a good five days to get out of my vacation "hangover" and another few to accept the fact that it really isn't summer yet.
But we had a great time and can't wait for our next trip! This time I am trying to convince the kids Hawaii would be even better than Disneyland!!
Now, enjoy some pictures:
The view from our room at Grand California:
The excitement of the bunkbeds brings out the gangsta in our kids:
The standard picture in front of the castle: Yes Nicolas is in a stroller because if you remember from a previous post he is allergic to walking long distances.
The Matterhorn! Is that spelled right?
Stan and the kids with I think Dale of Chip and Dale:
Me and the kiddos with Minnie Mouse!
Drew soaking up the fun on a ride!
Nicolas, just a little worried after he lost his trust in us:
Stan and kids in California Adventure:
With Shrek at Universal Studios:
Creepy picture of the kids as Padme and Anakin from Star Wars.
Check out poor Nicolas! He did want to do this one again though! Drew just had a blast and I was apparently too cool to take my sunglasses off......
This is the look of terror on a four year olds face! Poor little man! Drew was pretty funny too!
PS...click on the pictures to get the full effect!
4 comments:
I loved reading about your trip!! So great!! Poor Nicolas!! Sounds like a great trip!! I am so glad you had fun!! :) Love the pics!!
Juls
Ah, the memories of the Disney/Universal trips... We took our kids (16 & 12 at the time) in December. They happily told me that they were done with "theme park" vacations. Yea! We don't have to go through that anymore. I'll miss it, but the kids and Scot won't. Enjoy your kids while they really like doing all of that sort of stuff. They grow up to be teenagers and think every thing blows. Cute family and sounds like you had a blast.
In case you forgot, It's Jenny (Heather's older sister).
Jenny! I need to be able to comment to your comments! Accept my friend request on facebook so I can torment you there! And thank you!
Post a Comment