Disneyland & California family visit (Feb 22-Mar 2, 2010)

So, here it finally is. Be prepared...there are a WHACK of pictures on this post. It took me 3 nights to finish uploading and captioning this all so a few comments would be appreciated! :)


We are HERE! Dayna is already super pumped in the gigantic parkade. Little did she know, there was still a 10 minute wait for the tram, then a 10 minute ride to the park, then a 10 minute wait for tickets and security, then a 5 minute walk to actually get INTO the place and THEN...go to the potty! First things first you know.


The first characters we saw were Pluto and the chipmunks, Chip & Dale. As you can tell, neither kid was super pumped about these giant stuffed animals.


Our first stop was in California Adventure park, off to the Bug's Life kiddie ride area. Dayna's very first ride was this cute caterpillar thingy which took her through a garden from a bugs point of view. Her favourite part was going through the watermelon slice, with a bite taken out of it that sprayed water at the passengers.


After the Bug's Life land, it was time for the long awaited "lunch with the Princesses" at Ariel's Grotto.


At the bottom of a long windy staircase, all the little princesses waited their turn for a picture with the famed ARIEL


Next, we sat down for an amazing spread of food. And with no time to waste, the princesses started filing by the tables for pictures with all the awe-struck kids. First up was Snow White.


Next, we have Cinderella


Now Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty


and finally, my favourite, Belle


After enduring the most frantic, chaotic because Gavin was being a stinker, cramped because we had to eat, take pictures, take videos and try and feed an 18-month old, not to mention MOST expensive lunch ever (no kidding, over $100 US) we were outta there and off to the main attraction - Disneyland

Aaaaaaaaaah, the magical Disney castle. Man, is that thing ever tiny in real life.

Dayna's first ride in Disneyland was the Dumbo ride. After a 10-15 minute lineup she had lost her patience and was totally freaking out and wanting to get off. But, Dad wasn't about to waste that long line up wait so away they went, crying and all.

Meanwhile, Gavin had his only nap of the day - 20 minutes in an umbrella stroller

Ride #2 went significantly better than ride #1

Off to Toontown for some shenanigans in the Dog Pound


I think she really enjoyed all the wonky, crooked little houses and landscapes in Toontown

We did NOT, I repeat, did NOT ask her to do this pose...

Fun little cartoony car

Mickey's house was a fun, whimsical, colourful place


And...we got a surprise Mickey viewing at the end so no line up for this pic!


Off to Chip 'N Dales treehouse



Dayna and I rode this little 45 second roller coaster. It was kinda fast and went upside down once. When it was over, she just looked at me with a frown and said,"I don't want to go on that ride ever again." Enough said.

Gav and me waiting in line for "It's a Small World"



Such cute, colourful scenes and actually a very long ride. Worth the wait.

Off to Pixie Hollow for more "character meeting opportunities"

Isn't Tink cute? Although seeing full-grown women dressed up as fairies is a little weird. I mean, they're supposed to be little ity-bity things...

Off to Adventureland

On the boat for the Jungle Cruise



Waiting for the street party to begin. No big parade this time, instead a few floats with a bunch of dancers performing for the audience.



Still waiting for the parade - our patience has run low by this point.

Finally...

And the dancers took the little kids right out into the street party. Dayna was taken 2 times by the dancers. Once for this little number and a 2nd time for a conga line. She was very tickled and will remember that for a long time.

Waiting for the tram to the parking lot - in the rain - with a gazillion other people. NOT my favourite memory.

And now to GG and Papa's house. Makin' orange juice with Papa. And this is with FRESH oranges right off the tree in their front yard.

Dayna and GG getting re-acquainted.

Bored at the hotel room. Do you think she's actually watching the movie or sleeping with her eyes open?

Gavin now enjoys dismantling my wallet for enjoyment

Some of Dayna's California cousins - Jonathon, Nick & Elaina (sorry if that's spelled wrong Michelle)

and don't forget little man Nathan





Off to the Sunday swap meet with Papa.



Gavin is very fond of this toy aquarium from Papa.



Watching the gold medal Olympic hockey game between Canada and the US

Soccer with Jonathon

Awwwwwwwwwwwe..... a boy and his grandma

Our last few minutes with GG

We're off to LA for the night to catch our early flight home. Bye bye California family! We had a blast and can't wait to come back again!