We are so blessed and privileged to visit and enjoy the "happiest place on earth--" Disneyland! It was a family affair like no other. Along with us were my husband's brother's family, and my father-in-law.
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| Too excited to go to the place they don't know where. |
The little one woke up past three in the morning (not late, huh?), while her Ate woke up an hour later. The reminder the night before the big day worked!
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| Excitement makes you wake up early, now you're ready to go back to bed :) |
The girls didn't have a clue where we're going. The older one already had some hints few days earlier. She was able to confirm that the place she guessed was right when we were already at the airport. Questions from people at the airport about the destination confirmed her suspicion. Her lips just spread so wide, her eyes stretched to the sides, then lit up!
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| Princess in between. |
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| Cousin Marcus, Evie, and Grandpa sitting behind us. |
Going to Disneyland by air was more of a breeze than traveling by land. The ride from Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport to John Wayne Airport only took less than an hour. Doing all the security process in the airport took longer than the flying.
DAY 1 (March 13, 2016 - Sunday)
The family stayed at the
Desert Palms Hotel & Resort. It's a hiking distance to the Park. However, we opted to use the shuttle going to and fro. After all the walking and waiting in line at Disneyland, the shuttle was a practical choice.
Right after we got to our hotel, we proceeded immediately to Mickey Mouse's place. First thing we had to do after we got inside was find a place to eat lunch. Everyone was hungry and had hotdogs! The pulled pork hot dog was actually yum! Glad I decided to go for it than just the regular, boring hotdog.
First stop ride was
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. I remember the girls didn't like this ride at Disneyworld because it's dark and noisy. But that was 2 years ago, things have changed. This time, it was a fun experience. We got "fast pass" for
Star Tours which made me nauseous, I didn't go back the second time around. Other rides we did were
Storybook Land Canal Boats,
King Arthur Carousel,
Alice in Wonderland, and
Mad Tea Party. We still have a long day to go, but Evie was physically (and probably mentally/emotionally) miserable. She complained about her tummy and ear hurt. She was crying, ready to go back to the hotel despite the temptations of amusing rides. Her comfort and well-being are more important than any fun rides the Park offers. So, the four of us went back to the hotel.
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| Marcus & Evie sitting in front of the boat @the Storybook Land Canal Boat ride. |
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| Fi & Grandpa conversing on the boat ride. |
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| The girls with cousin and Daddy on the Mad Tea Party ride. |
Shower makes miracles! Evie took the time she needed in the warm shower. Alas! She was all better right after the long shower. The reasons we could think of why she was miserable were:
- Too tired. She got up so early, was not able to take a nap on the plane as she needed.
- Too overwhelmed by everything that was going on in the Park (crowd, countless rides, walking, waiting, etc..)
- Nauseated, probably because while on the plane, she was too focused on watching/playing a game on the iPad.
- Earache was very likely caused by air pressure from flying. We forgot to remind her to yawn frequently while on air.
DAY 2 (March 14, 2016 - Monday)
Off to the
Disneyland California Adventure Park on day two! Not as crowded as Main Disneyland, a big plus. Wahoooo!!!
The girls wore their Frozen Fever costumes: Evie as Queen Elsa and Fi as Princess Anna. Those gleaming eyes we see as they get ahold of their admission ticket to the park was priceless.
Fi was not in her best physically. She was running a low-grade fever, we brought with us fever relief medicine. We looked for a jacket to keep her warm from the cool temp and found a zip up hoodie from one of the shops. Hefty price tag was anticipated, but I was totally disappointed of how low the quality is of their merchandise. I honestly did not expect a "Walmart-quality" Disneyland jacket. No choice for something that was needed.
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| Princess in disguise. |
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| Will somebody discover her identity? Nobody did :) |
I took her back to the hotel few hours later to get a nap. However, she
refused to doze when we got in our room. Went back to the park in the
afternoon. She was feeling much better and more active.
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| @ the bus stop waiting for our shuttle on our way back to the Park after a good rest. |
RIDES
The Thrill of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The most talked about ride of all -- Tower of Terror. Evie hated it so much. Funny how she talked all day long (even until days after) about how she disliked the ride. I DO NOT LIKE it either. Don't think any in our company enjoyed being dropped on a dark elevator, several number of stories high. Shrieks was all we heard :)
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| Her personal choice of dessert: Mickey Mouse cookie! |
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| The three mouseketeers exploring. |
Felicia Meets Minnie Mouse
Eyes barely open, legs flailing from her Grandpa's shoulders, Fi was determined to stop walking on her own. The day was long, until her eyes captured a very familiar face that she adores -- Minnie Mouse! Oh how those eyes sparkled, her dimples unceasingly showed off. All of a sudden she forgot she was exhausted. Minnie Mouse is indeed a toddler energy booster. Felicia threw bitty bunny hops as Minnie gave this tot her full attention. Mickey's girlfriend was lavished with hugs and kisses on the nose. My little one couldn't get enough of her. The magical encounter was the highlight of her day.
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| Face to face moment with Minnie is heart pounding :) |
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| Blurry snap shot, but the action says it all. |
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| Not one but several kisses on the nose for Minnie. |
DAY 3 (March 15, 2016) BACK TO THE MAINLAND
The gang is back at Disneyland! Theme of the day for my two younglings is Star Wars. Evie dressed up as
Rey, Felicia in her classic Princess Leia hair buns and sporting a Padme bodysuit.She's so cute in her hair, people couldn't get enough of their "oooohs" and "aaaaahs." For a toddler with energy like an Energizer Bunny, I had to fix her hair a few times.
Evie Meets Stormtrooper
Disneyland Stormtroopers are elusive. They do not stop at every request for a photo huddle. They will when they want to. But they succumb to "the force" of our own Rey. The force was so strong in her, one Stormtrooper stopped and called her attention. "Hey you!" he hollered in his spacey voice. Oh yeah, the young Padawan's trick worked! :)
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The force is strong in you, young Padawan!
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| Young Padawan had a melt down. |
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| Cousins enjoying their time together. |
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| Getting a Mickey hat souvenir. |
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| Playing games with Grampa while waiting for our flight back home. |
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