Rite of Disney Initiation

Prayer of A Young Charlotte
Dear God,
    Please please please let my family go to Disneyland.
 I promise to be good.  I'll never ask for anything again.
 Disneyland is the happiest place on earth.  My life will
 be complete if I could just go there. Thank you.
 Amen.
(uttered every night ages 5-9)

I desperately wanted to go to Disneyland when I was a child.  My desire was only heightened by the commercials I saw on the Disney Channel.  It seemed like everyone but me got to go (this perception was probably boosted by the fact that I went to a private school).  My wish finally came true when I was 9 years old and my family went to Disneyland 3 days after 3rd grade let out.  We stayed at the Seven Seas Westward Ho Motel and it was magical.  My chest practically burst with joy the first time I walked down the Mainstreet of Disneyland.

The second time I went I was a young adult.  Dave and I went during a road trip on our one year wedding anniversary.  It was Dave's first time at Disneyland.  We had a great time and enjoyed our ability to go as single riders and move quickly through the park.

Dave and I decided to finally take our own children to Disneyland this year.  As luck would have it, the kids were aware of Disneyland due to their friends.  Just as I purchased tickets, the kids started asking when we would ever go.  I brushed them off with worries about cost.  I'm so mean.

I cashed in my personal days and we were off!  Unfortunately, our trip was planned to coincide with the worst storm in years in southern California.  We packed lots of socks, extra shoes, raincoats, and hoped for the best.  Going in February, and in the rain, means smaller crowds (yay!) or lots of ride closures (boo!) for rain and refurbishment.  The only two I was really bummed about being closed were the Matterhorn and Pirates of the Caribbean. We stayed at the Grand California.  This was cool because it has its own entrance in California Adventure and it is right at Downtown Disney.  This made it easy for wanting to take breaks during the day, especially for Robin.  It also means we got to "magic morning" every day.

Our first stop at Disneyland was City Hall.  There we picked up a disability pass for Robin.  This pass made a huge difference in our experience.  Since most Disneyland ride lines are not wheelchair friendly, the pass allowed us to bypass lines and enter through the exit.  For some rides, it meant getting our own version of the fast pass.  California Adventure is wheelchair friendly.  Robin's stroller counted as his wheelchair.  Having the pass meant that while we still had to wait in line with everyone else, Robin got to stay in his stroller.  I cannot imagine not having the ability to let him be in the stroller.  Lucky for us, Robin loved his stroller.  He frequently would grunt and then pull down the top.

Eileen insisted we get our ears before we did anything else.  In addition to ears, each kid was allowed to buy one toy.  Linus built his own light saber, Eileen got a Mickey bubble wand, and Robin got a Robin LEGO set.

These boys might look cute, but this pictured caused our first full day at the park to start with squabbling children. Awesome.

The character breakfast at Storyteller Cafe was great.  They were able to easily accommodate Eileen's dietary needs.  Unfortunately, we had to pretty much throw Eileen's diet out the window for most of the trip.  Unless we were eating at one of the super fancy Disney restaurants, the menus were not accommodating.  Eileen had never been happier.

Robin was not a fan of the Disney characters walking around.

Jungle cruises are very intimidating.

Eileen impressed me on the trip.  She didn't complain about being tired or her feet hurting or not being able to walk.  I was shocked.  She went on all sorts of rides.  Her bravery increased as we went on more rides.  She even conquered Space Mountain.  Her favorite rides were Small World and the Symphony Swings.  Eileen truly loved everything, even the ducks that were all over.

Well except one thing....In her words it was the "dumbest, most terrible ride."  Splash Mountain.

So many good times.  Robin loved everything he could go on, especially the "up and down horses" (carousel) and the Gadget Coaster.  Linus loves thrills.  He really is the perfect companion for amusement parks.

There were many sweet moments.  Eileen reminded me again how much this girl loves her mama. I love these pictures of the two of us at the Alice in Wonderland house.

 Linus loved Robin. 

Linus and Eileen fought non-stop the entire trip.  Linus demanded to know who I loved more, him or Eileen.  Here's how that conversation went:
Me:  "Daddy, duh. Don't ask me a question if you don't want the real answer."
Linus: "What!?!"
Me:  "Think about it.  Daddy always lets me be in charge, have my own way, and get whatever I want."
Linus:  nods in complete understanding
I don't love Dave more than my kids, but Linus needed an answer different than I love you all equally in order to be satisfied.  He knew I wasn't being serious.

Occasionally, Dave and I would split up.  This is what happens when Daddy takes the kids to the Tiki Tiki Room for a second time.  Fake nose picking.

It was an exhausting trip. We walked a ton, ate lots of junk food, went on tons of rides.  I was grateful that my kids had zero desire to go meet Disney characters.  In fact, Eileen came out strongly against anything princess.  Since it was Presidents' Day Weekend I made my kids go to Great Moments with Lincoln.  Lincoln's sage words still hold true.

The rainstorm came on full force on our third day.  It wasn't so bad at first.  Less crowded, short lines, but wet.  And then.....OH MY GOD!  As we tried to make it to cover, I thought to myself, "This was a mistake."  We finished the day sopping wet.  The wet clothes and wet shoes smells took multiple times through the wash.  In the end, I can view certain moments (like getting into a Small World Boat swamped with water) through a comical lens.

During our final day of vacation, we slept in, packed, went out to breakfast, played at the LEGO store in Downtown Disney, and then went to the LEGO Batman movie.

We all headed home exhausted.

Eileen took a final shot as we flew home.

I had fun.  I'm exhausted.  I'm ready for a vacation from my kids.  I don't think I'm ready to become a "Disney Mom" just yet, but I would be happy to go back in a few years. I watched moments of sheer joy in my kids' faces.  There is so much of the world for us to see and experience.  Almost 30 years since I first went to Disneyland, and it is still a magical place.