Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Disneyland Day 5- Dec 8

This was our final day. The last day is always so depressing. For this trip this day felt like a bonus day. Normally we do 3 days in the parks and one day spent traveling there and another on the way back. This time we did 5 days using our travel days as partial Disney parks days. We loved it!

I have this weird thing were I must be first at the gate when the park opens. I don't mind getting up early. I was bummed they didn't choose anyone from the crowd to do the countdown. I have always wanted to be picked. 

Chase was quick and landed us first in line for Hyper Space Mountain. 

I'm so sad I was blocking Zoe.

We rode several rides back to back with the extra hour. Another great perk to staying at a Disney hotel. Early entrance everyday! 


These pictures are making me miss it so much! 
(side note: my teeth are huge!)

Derek got himself a donut

We had to check out of our hotel so as were leaving the park and we finally saw Daisy Duck! Her line was already closed but the castmember told me where she'd be coming from in about an hour. We headed back to the hotel got packed up. The hotel was going to hold our luggage until we were ready to leave later that evening. While Derek, Maeley and Chase were taking care of that Zoe and I headed back to Disneyland to meet Daisy.

Zoe's favorite character is hands down Daisy. 

We didn't mind waiting and hanging out together and taking pictures.


Daisy took Zoe's hand and lead her all the way to the Firestation. Zoe was in heaven! Derek caught up with us right as this was happening so he also got it on video. 




Chase got to see Donald again!

Hahaha, Donald is so funny! 


After that we left Disneyland again to head to the Disneyland Hotel for breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen

Of course we had to stop at the Lego store.

An old Autopia car at the Disneyland Hotel. 






My gluten free Mickey waffles! So delicious I ate 2 of them! 





Celebrating my birthday.
(With a cupcake I couldn't eat)



Minnie was so cute as a Pastry Chef.

We've done many character breakfasts and had heard some great reviews about Goofy's kitchen so wanted to try it. I thought the lighting was terrible and our pictures with the characters didn't turn out well. The kids liked the different food items. We came at the end of breakfast and they were starting to bring out lunch menu items. Next time I think I will stick to Minnie and Friends breakfast in Disneyland. Although we still need to try Surf's Up Breakfast with Mickey and Friends at PCH. 

Loved this gingerbread house (not real) at the Disneyland Hotel.

Chase hugged Pluto for awhile and Pluto didn't seem to mind one bit.

Silly Goofy! 



Funny story-
Derek, Maeley and Chase wanted to ride Grizzly River Run. Zoe didn't want to get wet and quite frankly neither did I. So Zoe and I waited at the bridge at the end of the ride and watched for them. It had been a little while and I was wondering if we had missed them. Then all of a sudden I heard Derek's laugh in the distance. I couldn't see their raft but I certainly could hear Derek. Shortly after they came around the corner. I couldn't believe I could hear Derek from so far away. They had gone down a big drop. He finds people getting wet hilarious.









Every single time we went into a bakery Zoe would watch the cast members make candy. She could stand there all day if I let her. 



Before leaving Derek and Maeley took one last turn on Grizzly River Run. When did Maeley grown up? She is wearing MY cardigan! 

They were wiped out! 


Exhausted after 5 fun filled days at Disneyland but it's always sad to leave. 


We left at about 7:45 California time and arrived home at 2:30am Arizona time. 

This was our avorite family Disneyland trip to date. The kids were happy, never fought, and easy going. This trip was a Christmas present from us to the kids. They knew ahead of time they wouldn't get gifts from us on Christmas day. After Christmas we asked them what they thought about getting less presents on Christmas. Santa had still come so they did get some. They all loved getting a trip instead.  


Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Disneyland Day 4- Dec. 7

I absolutely love the extra things you get to do while staying at the California Grand Hotel. I was going to get up early and run but then decided doing the power walk through California Adventure sounded more fun. The kids woke up early so they stayed in bed and watched cartoons. They never do that a home so they were in heaven. I was happy Derek wanted to join me. We weren't allowed to take any picutures during our walk because it is not "show ready". There was about 12 of us and we walked about 2 miles and listened to some great stories. I love fun Disney facts. Did you know that John Lassetter only enters Cars Land the back way? I have to admit during the day that's my favorite too. At night if its not too crowded walking in through the main entrance with all the neon lights is pretty spectacular. 

When we got back to the hotel we decided we had enough time to get ready and make it to the Learn to Draw Mickey class as a family. 

Maeley's 

Derek's 

We didn't have quite enough time to finish before we needed to meet up with our photographer.

Ready to begin our family photo session at Disneyland and California Adventure. 
Pictures from that photo shoot coming soon.

After pictures, changing clothes and lunch we were ready to head back to the parks and play.

We decided we needed to see Nick from Zootopia. We had waited about 10 minutes for just him. 

We were so lucky that while we were taking picture Judy came out too! 

Perfect timing! 

We were ecstatic to see Sully!  


Random fun fact: 
When we first started dating, Monsters' Inc was one of the first movies we saw together in theater



I had to take a picture with Mickey too! 
He looks so cute in his Christmas attire at DCA! 

Chase as always thrilled to see Donald


We convined Zoe to go on Splash Mountain again. She still didn't like it.