We did it. We surprised our kids with a trip to Disneyland. It was NOT easy keeping this a secret for 6 months- but we did it! The hardest part was when we actually hit Anaheim and had the boys keep their heads down playing a video game so that they wouldn't look out the window and see all the Disney paraphernalia everywhere! We even went to dinner and asked the host and the waitress NOT to say anything to the kids. It worked. We made it to the hotel without anyone being any wiser!
The next morning- we walked across the street and Ty started reading the signs... he was initially confused because it said Disneyland Resort... but once we got in the gates- we had three very excited little kids... and two very excited parents! Okay- maybe I was the excited one- I think Shaun was just glad to be out of the car and walking around.
Kate pulled out her map immediately and started "reading" where she wanted to go first...
Grandma and Grandpa came with us, and so did Melissa and Jer...
We walked into the park and the very first thing we saw was...
MINNIE MOUSE! Kate was beside herself! She started jumping up and down and RAN to see Minnie.
Minnie told me to come and give her a hug too... it's been so long after all.
Then the boys spotted Pluto. Ty was all over a picture- Ryan was a little leery- but once big brother said it was okay- he was right in there for a hug too.
The whole park was decked out in Halloween EVERYTHING. It was amazing!
We started down Main Street after meeting Pluto- and who should show up but Mickey! We had to wait in line this time... Kate was not so patient.
After our morning of Disney characters we headed out for some rides!
Kate was stoked she could fly her own spaceship.
We rode a few more rides and then settled down to rest for a minute and found out that the Jedi Training Academy was about to start. Ty was all over that and was beyond excited when he got picked to participate! He got outfitted in his Jedi robe and light saber..
The resident Jedi master was in charge of training all these young Padawans. They all had to learn a lightsaber routine so that in case someone from the Empire showed up- they would be ready.
And who should appear... but Darth Vadar himself!
It's okay... these jedi's were ready!
Ryan wanted nothing to do with actually participating- but when Darth Vadar appeared- he started jumping up and down and cheering for the Empire.
It ended up a victory for right though... the padawans defeated Darth Vadar and Darth Maul and sent the Storm Troopers running.
After all the Jedi fun- Kate had an appointment to keep at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. Her aunt Hee Hee had made it and it turned out so amazing. We met Betsy- a Fairy God Mother in Training and she sat Kate down in her chair...
Then she did Kate's hair- it was a 'do any princess would have been proud of. She even got a crown!
And make-up...
Then Kate was dusted with magic princess dust from Betsy's magic wand (a whole hell of a lot of glitter).
It turned out gorgeous!
And Grandma further spoiled her by buying her a new princess dress to go with her princess hair and makeup. Kate donned her new princess sash and got a pretty jewel to put on her cheek.
She was so excited! And even more so when her dad found her "Pascal" to complete her Tangled look.
Thank-you Hee Hee and Grandma! She was over the moon!!
That first night we also got to attend "Mickey's Halloween Party". They kick the general public out of the park at 5 and those that have tickets get to go to the costume party. My parents came as pirates...
Jer and Ty were very serious Jedi Knights and Ryan was Darth Vadar...
Kate came as Rupunzel... like we could have gotten her out of that dress anyway... We got to go trick or treating throughout the park- here we were at Mickey's house...
HeeHee made a cute witch...
And Shaun and I came as Princess Leia and Han Solo. It was pretty awesome. I forgot to get a picture of Shaun- which is too bad because I'm pretty sure I'll never get him to do it again...
As we were trick or treating at Minnie's house I couldn't help but notice her stack of magazines on the couch... Jessica's Secret... hahahaha!
Kate stopped for some hot chocolate at Minnie's house too...
There were still a lot of people- but we all had so much fun! We got lots of candy and then we got to dance the night away at a Monster's University sponsored Dance Party.
Plus... we got to ride on all the rides... It was awesome!!
And while we were totally exhausted by the next morning... we got to go out and do it again!!! We got a great deal on some 3-day passes so the fun continued!!
We started our morning in Pixie Hollow.
Where Kate was ecstatic to find Tinkerbell! That's actually who Kate is planning on being for Halloween- so she talked Tink's ear off for a few minutes about dresses and pixie dust.
And it was off to ride the rides!
The boys kept riding and Kate, HeeHee, Shaun and I went to go find Rapunzel.
Kate was dying...
Tuesday afternoon- we gave Disneyland a break and headed over to California Adventure where we got to ride the new Cars ride- it was such a kick! It ended up being Ryan's favorite- so we rode it a few times. Even Shaun was caught smiling while riding it.
Then the boys and I rode on Mater's Tractors...
And then we spent a good portion of the afternoon on Ariel's Grotto. We rode this one over and over... the workers ended up just letting us stay on the ride and circle it several times in a row. Kate sang and danced all the way through.
Back to Radiator Springs for the Cars ride again... and a picture with Grandma and Grandpa. And yes. Kate wore her princess dress for two days straight.
Unfortunately Shaun, Grandma and Grandpa had to go home after day two... but Melissa and Jer stuck out day three with me.
Kate got to meet Ariel...
And Cinderella...
And Aurora!
I like to think we've had our fill of princesses for a while... but maybe it only made it worse. I guess there are worse things to be obsessed with. :)
We seriously had so much fun!! Thank-you Shaun for helping make my idea happen. I love you so much!!
And Thanks Miss and Jer for ALL of your help the last day and in the car ride home- you are both so amazing!
As we rode home I asked the kids what their favorite rides were and what their favorite part of Disneyland were...
Kate: Favorite Rides were Star Tours and Ariel's Grotto. She LOVED riding in the "space ship with the robot". She was all decked out in her princess gear and would literally RUN up the ramp to Star Tours yelling for us to hurry up! But she said her favorite part was meeting "Run-pun-zel".
Ryan: Favorite Ride was Cars- he loved racing. And his favorite part was seeing the "real" Darth Vadar. He seriously jumped up and down when he saw him fighting the Jedi's.
Ty: Favorite Ride was Buzz Lightyear and Woody's Roundup. Both of them are arcade type games- obviously he was in heaven! It was pretty awesome though- the last time we rode Buzz Light year- we rode together and I beat the game- I got 1 million points! I insisted that Ty call me "Galactic Hero" from then on. He actually has- and I LOVED the look of admiration when he saw my score. It was awesome. He was such a trooper- he is totally content riding the smaller rides- but gave into peer pressure and rode most of the BIG ones too- he admitted in the end that the California Screamer was pretty cool.
I loved it all- it is such an amazing thing to be able to share with my kids.
And I think Shaun's favorite part was the part when we went home. :) Love that man.
