On December 15th we got to Disneyland early and rode "Pirates of the Caribbean" twice in a row. We love that ride and we were especially sad when last we were there (March of 2006) that it was closed for renovations. They were putting in the Johnny Depp likenesses, and I have to say, we were very impressed!
We did some classic rides like Dumbo,
and the teacups,
and then headed into Toon Town. We loved looking through Minnie and Mickey's houses and posing for pictures.
Next we checked out some attractions at California Adventures and even got to meet Mr. Incredible!
Even Tony was worried about going on Tower of Terror! Faith even cried a little after the ride was over and was upset that we made her go on it. Oddly enough, the next day she had a change of heart and said that she actually liked it!!?
We all enjoyed the new Toy Story ride/video game,
and were a little caught off guard when the ferris wheel car slid and rocked just as I snapped this pic.
We ate at Blue Bayou that evening and, even though it was super pricey and Tony wasn't feeling well, it was still awesome. The ambiance and getting to gawk at the Pirate's of the Caribbean's riders made the experience one of the kids' favorite.
We then watched the parade from our spot by the entrance.
Because it was drizzly, no one was in line for Splash Mountain the next morning, so we completely soaked ourselves by riding it twice without getting off in between.
We did the Haunted Mansion again,
and just afterward Christian tripped and decided to catch himself with his head instead of his hands. That was the loudest melon-hitting-pavement sound I've ever experienced! While trying to calm myself down, we rushed to the first aid station. Buddy was all right, they just gave him some Motrin, a bandage, and an ice pack.
He perked right up and we went on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I even told Buddy that he could drive and then complimented him on his driving skills. About halfway through, after taking on tons of crazy turns and nearly crashing our car, he turned to me with a freaked out expression and asked if I would take over driving. I laughed and my little guy was very relieved after I showed him that the steering wheel doesn't actually do anything and the ride steers itself. Poor Buddy!
Faith loves giving her little bro piggyback rides.
We actually had a good lunch of meat kabobs and a shared sandwich, Christian just had to ham it up for the camera!
Then Faith started feeling not-so-great, so Tony sat with her while I took Buddy over to Tom Sawyer Island. He loved everything over there, but especially the skulls.
We climbed up through some of the man made caves, but inside one the walls kept getting closer and closer together and the pathway narrower and narrower. I just about had a panic attack at one point where I was pretty sure I couldn't get through the next opening and was afraid to get stuck. The one recurring nightmare I have is just like that!!! I turned right around, went back, and refused to go in any more caves. Christian thought I was a wimp.
That evening we decided to do some shopping in Downtown Disney. Christian nearly suffered complete heart failure when he entered a Lego store for the first time. I think it was more awesome than anything he had ever imagined :)
The kids decided to spend the rest of their souvenir money on Build-A-Bear.
They had a blast!
Tony got us these cups of chocolate mousse for a treat that night.
December 17th was our last day at Disneyland. Faith and I decided to try the Indiana Jones ride even though Christian was too short for it. Tony took Buddy on Pirate's again while we were gone.
A couple of times this trip we got churros. Yum!
Last time on Small World,
and then we rode in the caboose of the train.
Had to get in one last viewing of Bug's Life!
And it started to really rain.
We had to eat lunch at Cafe Orleans since they didn't have the Monte Cristo sandwich at the Blue Bayou for dinner (only lunch) and we'd heard it was fab. It didn't disappoint!
Faith's feet got wet and freezing and our hotel shuttle couldn't pick us up until 5:15 (they don't run it from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) so I suggested going to Captain EO so we could get out of the rain while we waited. Afterward, Tony apologised to the kids for torturing them with it, but they'd enjoyed the kooky musical! On the drive home the next day Christian asked from the back seat, "Mom, do you member that cool show where there was the bad guy with tubes and big claws and that nice lady with curly hair changed it nice?" Faith said, "Buddy, that wasn't a lady, that was Michael Jackson!" Totally understandable mistake.
The next morning we picked up a few last souvenirs like pajamas for the kids, shirt for Tony and this ornament for me. Then we were on our way back home!
We only stopped three times on the way back, just for fuel and to eat dinner at Panda Express. The kids slept a lot more this time so it made the trip quite short for them. I took these pictures just before taking the kids into the house. You can kind of see Buddy's p.j.'s have Mickey dressed as a pirate,
and Faith got a Minnie Mouse nightgown (and woke up when I opened her car door, that stinker). We absolutely loved our vacation and hope to get back to Disneyland in the next year or two!
