So we decided to salvage this family vacation and take the kids to Disneyland. We went to Southern California August 2009, so it hadn't been too long since our last trip to "The Happiest Place on Earth." Last year was such a great trip and they kids were SO excited to go back. We talked to plenty of people from California that assured us there wouldn't many people this time of the year. Little did we know that all of the kids were out of school on Thurs, 11/11 for Veteran's day and also on Fri, 11/12 as a teacher's furlough day so for Californians this was a 4-day holiday weekend. So long story short, Disneyland was EXTREMELY crowded! It was seriously 4 times more crowded than the year before. I swear every season pass holder was there. And not to mention, it was the very first day that Disneyland was decorated for the holidays. I searched everywhere for discount tickets, but couldn't find any for a 2-day, 2-park hopper pass so we had some serious shock when it cost $936 for our family of 7 (this was even with Ava being free since she wasn't 3 yet!) Ouch!
Jason & I were SO annoyed with people, huge crowds and long lines after being on the cruise ship and standing in long lines for food. We almost went to ask for a refund but then saw our kids faces and knew this wasn't about us but about our kids! So we tried to make the most of it but still had many moments of feeling postal. So please anyone, if I talk of wanting to go to Disneyland within the next 5 years, please stop me!
We've never been to Disneyland during the holidays so it was neat to see it decorated for Christmas. If you're wondering why Aliza is holding her hands, the professional photographer told her to hold her hands so she could hold Tinkerbell. We just went online to view our pictures taken on the Disney pass and in the Disney's professional picture, they cut off Jason's head. Nice! At least we have this one with our camera.
The Main Stree Holiday parade. This picture kinda shows how crowded it was.
Mickey & Minnie ice skating in the Holiday parade on Main Street. Ava loves the TV show "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and was so excited to see Mickey. Unfortunately, when we went to Toontown to get a picture with Mickey they were closing Toontown. I snuck in the backdoor of Mickey's house for her to get a glimpse of Mickey and Mickey waived at her. She still says "Why is Mickey so shy and he didn't talk?" I asked the worker if we could get a quick picture with Mickey and was denied. The mother bear in me wanted to rip his head off and say look buddy if you realized what we've been through this past week you'd let my daughter have a freakin' picture with Mickey. Of course, I said nothing and moved along.
Goofy's gingerbread house/kitchen in the Holiday parade on Main Street
Of course, we had to take a picture by the letter A by the entrance to California Adventure. You can tell how thrilled Alex was!
The girls with Santa. You can tell how thrilled this kid was to be chosen as the "chubbiest teenager that works at Disneyland." I'm laughing at his interaction with children. When I placed Ava on his lap, he just held her one hand to support her.
Who the heck is "Duffy the Disney bear?"
The girls in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.
Abbey, Ashley & Aliza in front of "It's a Small World," which was neat to see all lit up with lights. Of course, this is one of the lines that we waited a long, long time in.
Inside of "It's a Small World."
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