California | Disney California Adventure

I think I've held off on posting this because it's the of my Disneyland/California recap.  :(  This trip was such an unexpected blessing for us.  There is excitement in carefully planning a trip and picking out each detail months and months in advance, but there is just as much excitement booking a surprise trip a couple of weeks in advance.  This trip wasn't even on our radar for the distant future, but when our plans to RV to the Grand Canyon fell through at the last minute it just popped into our heads.  Sometimes God has the best plans because the kids were right in the Disney sweet spot if you will.  This trip will forever hold a special spot in our hearts.  If you're waiting to take your kids to _____ {insert almost anywhere there}, DON'T!  Take the trip & make the memories.  If your kids won't remember it, you will!

Disney California may have been our favorite part of the trip!  {even if I did make us all show up an hour early -- oops!} Disneyland is special just because it's Disneyland, but Disney California was more exiting for the kids because it's so much more relevant to them. We rode almost all of the rides here, too, but they actually knew the characters.  Jordyn loved the Monsters Inc. ride because Sully talked to her about her glasses at the end {they must have someone looking at a camera so they know what you look like-haha!}  Cullyn got to meet Captain America which was definitely a highlight for a 5 year old boy!  My favorite was the Guardians of the Galaxy {maybe a bit much for 5 & 6 year olds, but they loved it!  It's basically like the Tower of Terror at Disney World if you've done that}.  We all loved Cars {we could have done that ride 20 more times -- make sure you FastPass that ride, it was a 2.5 hour wait} and Soarin' {so, so good!  Takes you all around the world!}

California | Disneyland

Everyone's first trip to Disneyland! I've been to Disneyworld several times, and all of us went together as a family in 2014, but none of us had been to Disneyland.  It's always fun experiencing firsts for everyone!  The kids were at the perfect age for Disney.  Cullyn was exactly 42 inches, which is the minimum height for many rides.  This wasn't planned, but by the grace of God both kids made the cutoff.  So if you're thinking of making the trip, that would be my only real suggestion -- make sure your youngest is at least 42 inches if they want to ride the rides with everyone else.  

We spent 2 days at Disneyland and rode almost every single ride they have.  Space Mountain was closed for remodeling during our trip, so we obviously didn't go on it.  The first day we were all excited and just powered through, but the second day we left for a bit in the early evening and then came back for the fireworks.  Almost every night we watched the fireworks from our pool or the balcony of our hotel after the kids' were asleep.  The night we went back to Disneyland to watch them, the kids both asked if we could go home and sleep instead of wait the 30 minutes for them to start.  We distracted them, but in the back of my mind I was debating if that was the best choice.  Before we knew it the music started and the fireworks show was started.  When it ended both kids said they loved it and Jordyn said it was the best show ever.  She was so glad she got to stay up for it.  It made my day for sure!

I'm so glad we took this vacation.  I knew I would be, but when I overheard Adam tell my parents he's so glad we went I knew it was worth every cent!  I pray my kids remember this trip, but even if they don't, I know I will always treasure these memories!

Cullyn couldn't have loved the characters more!  Jordyn? Not so much! ha!  She stood by the princesses {didn't want to touch them} and hugged Minnie Mouse, but that was it for her.  Cullyn took photos with nearly every character in the park! ;)  I love how different their personalities are!!

We got the best seats for the Pixar Parade!  We were sitting in a spot that apparently the parade doesn't got to {like we were around the corner that wrong way} and a Disney member came up and told us and walked us right over to a different area and blocked it off.  There were several times I wasn't feeling the Disney Magic throughout the trip {so hot, waiting in a line, just normal stuff but annoying} but this was definitely not one of those times!