Disney - December 2012

I really try hard to make our big vacations intentional and give great thought to how it all goes down.

This was our second trip to Disney as a family.  The first time, we went in mid September while there were no decorations (or large crowds) and it was regular Disney.  That was important to me that their first impression was classic Disney.  We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and used the monorail - a great memory for me from when I was a kid.

This time around I wanted to experience Disney at Christmas time.  That being said, I thought it would be important to stay at the Grand Californian since it has a lodge theme.

Carolers were singing when we arrived at the Hotel

I pulled the kids out of school so we wouldnt have to be there with huge crowds.  In my opinion, if you are spending that much time and money, it needs to be enjoyable!

Good thing, because it wasnt that busy.  We waited in lines of 5-10 minutes on average.  Some rides we walked right on.  Our longest wait was for Peter Pan which was prob about 30 minutes.  We did wait quite a long time for the new ride (Radiator Springs Racers) at Cars Town in CA Adventure but that is mainly because it broke down as we were in line (the fast pass line).

We had three day park hoppers.

Sunday - drove down and checked into the hotel.  Basically just hung out at the hotel and walked around Downtown Disney.  We had dinner at Rainforest Cafe.  Always a fun time!

The Lego Store at Downtown Disney - a favorite of the kids

They got to sleep on bunk beds - that was fun

Monday was early morning admission to California Adventure.  We got in and bee-lined to Cars Town, only to find out Radiator Springs Racers was shut down.  So we rode the other rides in Cars Town.  It was a bit drizzly that morning but we were prepared in our rain jackets and rain boots.  Then we hit the other rides in CA Adventure.  J was tall enough to ride California Screamin so he and I did that.  We spent most of our morning there and then later went over to Disneyland.  We rode rides in Tomorrow Land, which turned out to be the kids favorite.  J loved Star Tours and H loved Space Mountain.

In the Hotel lobby they have a cute spot for the kids to watch cartoons.

H got to meet Cinderella and Snow White.  Really she only cared about Cinderella. She had drawn a picture for her and gave it to her.  It was so cute!

We watched the parade at Disney that afternoon and the kids were wiped out after that so we headed back to the hotel.

Tuesday was early morning at Disneyland.  We took that opportunity to do all the rides in Fantasy land.  We did them all Im pretty sure.  Later that day we went back to check on the Cars ride, but just as we were getting in line it broke down again so they didnt let us in line.  I made sure the kids stayed at the park long enough to see the Castle lit up.  But it was back to the hotel cause once again we had some sleepies!

In line for Matterhorn

In line for Splash Mountain

Small World

Treats for the kids - Haven picked Mickey shaped rice krispy treat

J picked chocolate covered marshmallows

Wednesday was once again early morning at California Adventure.  It was our mission to ride Radiator Springs racers.  So I went directly to stand in line for a fast pass (which they dont let you get one until the park opens an hour later, and then they run out of fast passes if you arent in line early enough) while Neil took the kids directly to the ride.  Thankfully they got on and were able to ride.  I got the fast passes so they could ride again and I could go also.  It was a great success.  We went back and forth between the parks riding our favorites again and again.  As a family we did the Hollywood Tower Hotel but Haven and I were the only ones that really enjoyed it so we rode it twice.  We also took a break this day to swim at the hotel and go in the hot tub.  It was to cold for Neil and me but the kids loved it.  This night we stayed at the park the longest.  We got to ride some rides at night which is really so much fun.  Haven ended up falling asleep in Neils arms around 8.  J and I rode some more rides and we all left the park right before the fireworks and closing.  J and I watched the fireworks from a restaurant outside the park while Neil took Sleeping Haven to the room.  This was also the day the kids ate ice cream for dinner :)  Only at Disney!  Also this night, Haven got her light up balloon. The only they she kept asking for the whole time.  I was really anti spending $12 on a balloon but in the end she won out and got her balloon.

On THE ride - Radiator Springs Racers

Wilderness Training

Russell from Up giving out Wilderness Training badges

Ice Cream for Dinner - only at Disney!

The only thing she wanted - a light up balloon

Haven asleep in Neils arms

Thursday - we got up and had breakfast with the Characters at Storytellers Cafe - the restaurant there at Grand Californian.  We got to see Chip and Dale and some of the other characters from Splash Mountain and Lion King.  Then it was back in the car for the drive home.

 What a fun trip!