Disneyland 2013

We made it to Disneyland two weekends ago. It was simultaneously relaxing and energizing at the same time...weird! The kids were great, they always are at the parks. There was a good mix of excitement, rides, shows and rest. And snacks...lots of snacks!



How did I do on my checklist?

On the checklist for this trip:

Accomplished --Make my kids something special to wear.

I have had this tropical Disney print for forever and a day. I made The Girl a dress, The Boy got shorts and a romper for Baby D. They loved their outfits and we got dozens of compliments wherever we went, including lots from Cast Members.


Showing off their handmade boutique outfits

Accomplished--Get the kids in the Jedi Training Academy show.

We were so excited, they finally were chosen!! We got there about 30 minutes early and the kids parked themselves in the waiting area. They both got picked and you couldn't take the smiles from their faces.





The Boy fought Darth Maul and The Girl fought Darth Vader...too cool!! Afterwards they received certificates.







Accomplished--Make sure Baby D gets to ride It's a Small World at least once.

We were able to ride it once and he was thrilled! He is obsessed with this song and he rocked and "sang" his way through the ride.


Waiting for It's a Small World. Baby D was not happy to be waiting...he wanted ON!

Failed--See the new Fantasy Faire area.
Nope, didn't even see it from afar, we never made it to that area.

Failed--Watch Billy Hill and the Hillbillies
Nope, completely missed all the show times. Next time!

Not quite--See the new show, Mickey and the Magical Map.
I say "not quite" because technically we heard the show and The Boy was able to peek in a bit to watch. We were waiting outside the bathrooms for The Girl to change her clothes.

Accomplished--More character interaction.

We did good on this one! We were able to see Minnie in a private photo area with our Chase Visa.



Met up with Frozone from The Incredibles.



At the Mickey's Surf's Up breakfast at the Paradise Pier, we posed with Mickey, Pluto and Stitch. The baby loved them all, of course!





Failed--Take more pictures of the gorgeous Buena Vista Street in California Adventure.

Didn't even take one!

Accomplished--Take Baby D to see the Disney Junior - Live on Stage! show.

Oh yeah, he loved it, just as I thought. Everyone sat around on the carpet, there is a live-action puppet show with special effects (bubbles, a "snowfall", etc). He was so good and sat on my lap most of the time, getting up to dance at the appropriate times. He was totally enthralled!


Dancing at the Disney Junior LIVE! Show

Accomplished--Get on the Radiator Springs Racers as many times as we can!!

Well, we got on it once and the kids were good with that! This was my mother-in-law's first time at Disney's California Adventure and she said this was her favorite.

Accomplished--Get The Girl's Duffy Bear teddy bear an outfit. She chose an adorable Sully from Monsters, Inc. costume for Duffy. The gal in the shop said that the costume had just been released that day and that The Girl was the first one to purchase it from that store. It's so cute and snuggly!



Accomplished--Hang long enough to see the fireworks show.

We did see them but the kids were exhausted so we watched from the esplanade instead of on Main Street like I'd hoped. This did cut down on some of the mad crush that you experience trying to get out of the park immediately after the fireworks.


In Bug's Land

Failed--Try a new restaurant.

We didn't try anything new this time, but we did have tried and true. Lunch at the Taste Pilots Grill for a veggie burger, dinner at the French Market (mmm, meatloaf & mashed potatoes!) and Mickey's Surf's Up buffet in the Paradise Pier for breakfast.

We stayed at the park until about 10pm and the kids were beat! They dropped right into bed and we all slept in 'till 8. After breakfast we spent Sunday morning at the pool. It turned out cool and overcast which was a bummer as I was hoping to spend more time in the water.



Baby D didn't mind a bit. He could have spent the entire day in the little splash pool, chattering teeth and all!



So, all in all a great trip. And if you know anything about me, I'm already plotting the next one *wink!*