Disneyland

After one false start, it was finally time for Disneyland!

Day 1 - Disneyland

Adam only has so many days off work so we had to maximize our days to include travel time.  We took the first flight out on Tuesday morning.  It's takes a lot of work to get two adults, one toddler and one baby packed and out the door that early but we did it.  Lucky for us, Grandma, Grandma and Auntie were meeting us at the airport so once we made it there, we had lots of reinforcements.

As an aside, anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with strollers so I thought entirely too much about which strollers to take, how many strollers to take, whether to check the strollers.  You name it, I worried about it.  Everyone kept telling me we needed a stroller for Ruby.  She hadn't used a stroller in years but they all swore Disneyland was different.  I had a plan when Ella was going to be three months old for our original trip but had to rethink it when she was going to be five months old.  At the last minute, a great friend kindly offered us her Joovy Caboose.  It was THE BEST.  It made the trip.  Thanks N!

The quick flight was uneventful.

 

We met up with Grandpa Tom (that's six adults to two kids if you are keeping track).  The shuttle was easy.  We were at the hotel in no time and our rooms were ready.  We dropped off our luggage, packed the backpack for the day and were off.

At this point, we don't think Ruby had any idea where we were going.  We had to pass a ginormous Disney Store to get to the park entrance.  She probably would've stayed there for three days and been perfectly happy.  Autograph book...check.  Princess pen...check.  Lanyard...check.  Time to go into the park.  Ruby was still a little overwhelmed when Pluto appeared right in front of us for an appearance.

That was the icebreaker.  Once she figured out the characters are around the park, she gets to meet them AND they sign her autograph book, she was sold.

We made our way further into the park.  We were avoiding the photographers that wander around and want to take you picture but Grandma Jo, our resident Disneyland expert, took us to a special spot to get a picture for Ruby.  She was right.  It's a keeper.

We followed Ruby around for a bit but she started grumping around lunch time because she was hungry, tired and just missed seeing Jessie.  We stopped at Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue for lunch.  She wasn't  having any of it so I told her to sit down and take a break.  A few minutes later, this is what we found.

It was cute and absolutely perfect timing.  Ruby doesn't nap anymore.  Having her pass out for a while meant we could keep exploring and stay out late that night.

We wandered around Disneyland for the rest of the day.  Ruby was fearless.  If someone was going on a ride, she went too  We don't think she knew what to expect so she was happy to go on everything.  She loved the kids rides as well as the grown up rides.  She even liked Splash Mountain.  She said it was scary and then begged me to go on with her.  A girl after my own heart.

We wrapped up the night with dinner and Fantasmic.  Ruby, Adam and Grandma Jo watched from the front "row" while Grandma O'Brien, Auntie, Ella and I hung out in the back.  Perfect for everyone.  By the end of the, Ella was asleep in the Ergo and Ruby was asleep in the stroller.  Again, perfect for everyone.

Day 2 - California Adventure Park

We planned to spend our second day at California Adventure Park because we wanted to start with the princess character breakfast and end with the World of Color.

Ruby had no idea about the character breakfast.  We just said we were going to eat.  Our plan was nearly foiled when she discovered Ariel's Undersea Adventure near the entrance to the restaurant.  She would've stayed on that ride all day but we convinced her we'd come back.  Her princess sense was working well that morning because she immediately spotted Ariel at the bottom of the staircase.  She eagerly waited in line to meet Ariel and sat down for breakfast.  The first time she heard the horns and saw Snow White walk in, she was in heaven.  Cinderella, Belle and Aurora were just icing on the cake.  She was one happy princess loving kid after that.

We wandered through the park for a few more hours.  Everything was going great.  Everyone was having fun.  And then, we experienced Ruby's one and only meltdown (aka a knock down, drag out, kicking, screaming, can't even pick her up because she's too big and physical meltdown).  It was over a ridiculously overpriced spray bottle fan.  We told her she got to pick one present but she had to wait until Thursday.  She decided she wanted the silly fan.  It was only Wednesday.  It was silly.  We decided it was best to head back to the hotel and relax by the pool for a few hours.  It was just what the doctor ordered.

 

After another impromptu nap, we were ready for to head back out for the night.

Ruby was tickled she got to ride the Ariel ride again.  She kept convincing people to take her on it while we waited for the World of Color to begin.  I thought the show was amazing.  I think Ruby actually preferred the night prior because the "real" princesses were dancing on a boat.  She was not only wide awake for the show but closed the park down afterward.

As a matter of fact, by the time we got back to our hotel, we were all exhausted but Ruby was still awake.  I finally gave her the iPad and went to sleep.  I have no idea how long she stayed up but desperate times call for desperate measures =)

Day 3 - Disneyland

We went back to Disneyland for our third day but definitely took it easy. As a matter of fact, I stayed behind in the room for a bit with Ella while the rest of the gang went with Ruby to Toon Town.  It wasn't open when they arrived so they went to the Disney Princess Fantasy Fair for a bit first.  More princesses?  Ruby didn't complain.  As a matter of fact, she was convinced they were the same princesses as the day before and thought they should remember her.

 

On the way to meet everyone, I spotted Goofy.  Goofy is Auntie's favorite character and we didn't see him the first two days.  She quickly made her way to the line to get the one picture she wanted on the trip.  The funny thing is, while she was waiting at the front of the park for Goofy, he was also in Toon Town.

We spent the rest of the day slowly checking out some things we missed the first day.  Along the way we added Tinkerbell and Aladdin to the autograph book.

We rode more rides (it was empty so we got on everything no problem) and eventually we made our way back to the huge Disney Store.  The deal was that Ruby could pick out one gift at the end of the trip.  We also agreed to let her pick out the same gift for Norah since they are Disney soul sisters and we were going to Texas.  I was mentally prepared to buy both girls overspriced princess dresses since they wear the ones they have on a daily basis.  After what seemed like hours, Ruby finally spotted a little pink purse with white gloves to match Sleeping Beauty's costume.  Ruby picked them and didn't change her mind again.  Grandma Jo also gave Ruby a little spending money.  She picked out these shoes (I think she was excited because I told her she could wear them outside; they're reall shoes):

There was a little time after we checked out but before the airport shuttle arrived so we went to dinner at our hotel.  It wasn't the best food and was overpriced but we were exhausted and happy to sit down and have someone serve us.  Whenever we sit around a big table together, Ruby likes to have everyone go around and share a story (it started with what you're thankful for at Thanksgiving last year).  Sometimes it's still what we're thankful for, sometimes it's a gross story (she likes to tell the story about throwing up her chocolate milkshake), sometimes it's a made up story...you get the point.  That night we convinced her that we should all tell our favorite memory from Disneyland.  She decides who starts and always wants to go last.  We all went around the table talking about rides, characters, shows, etc.  When it got back to Ruby, totally unprompted she said, "My favorite part was my friends and family that went with me."  Either she's the kindest girl on the planet or she knows exactly how to get another Disneyland trip out of us =)

The plan ride home was uneventful again.  Both of the girls passed out on the and didn't wake up the rest of the night.

This was only my second trip to Disneyland.  Crowds aren't my thing.  Disney movies aren't my thing.  I'm from Ohio (the land of huge amusement parks and roller coasters) so the rides aren't that exciting.  My first trip was seven years ago after Adam and I got married.  It was fine but just not my thing.  A friend told me back then that I would love it when I could take my kids and experience it through their eyes.  She's a smart friend because she was absolutely right.  I had a fantastic time because Ruby had a fantastic time.  I'm in no rush to go back but can't wait to share the same moments with Ella and see Ruby go more as she gets older.  Ruby already decided we're going back next year and taking Norah.  I hope she's right.

Thanks Auntie, Grandma Jo, Grandma O'Brien and Grandpa Tom for your help. It was an easy trip with all your help.  Next time let's remember to get a family picture =)