Easter Around the Corner

I don't want to jinx it, but we have had a magnificent winter and spring.  Well...that is if you don't like snow and not a skier :)

We returned from Disney to negative temps, but a week later we broke out the bike and have taken full advantage of the sun and 50 degrees (still a bit chilly in the shade).

We are back at ice skating too!  Sharpening the skills.

We even did some planting!  Kinda.  My sister bought a "happy birthday bean" for Amelia and we had the urge to plant.

A bit of water...and we wait.  Will post the results.

We have done a bit of decorating since getting back and putting away all the christmas/birthday decorations...remember there were 2 christmas trees still up!

Will be cramming in some Easter crafts this upcoming week for next weeks post.

And we have had a couple of remodels going on...our small back bathroom got a new floor and our kitchen ceiling holes have been filled and textured...ready for paint.  Almost have the mini pendant lights picked out...but doubt it will be completely finished by next week ... due to my indecisions :)  Soon a post on all.

Last Post on Disneyland: Overview

This was our first time at Disneyland.   If I had to say just a few  words to describe this trip I would say things like "Amazing", "Fantastic" or "Best...Place...Ever." :)  Yet...I'd add lots of "Wish we could have...'s".   I do think your first trip to Disneyland would never fulfill your thirst. 

 After reading countless blogs and websites, endless questions to those who have gone before, and reading all that Disney has to offer, I felt I was pretty prepared.  I wasn't. 

Here is my overview of our trip...my thoughts and ideas for anyone who is planning their own trip someday...wink wink.

There is one thing I would have DEFINITELY done if I had known better ... STAY LONGER!  

We were initially only going to the park for 2 days.  WHEW!  I am pretty sure I would have cried.  To enjoy and not feel rushed, I feel at least 2 days in each park would have been better..especially for a first trip... even a week.  I felt we spent so much time in lines and waiting (this is inevitable...you WILL wait in lines) that you get anxious that you won't be able to see everything.  We travelled with a group of 10...and really tried to make it a "family visit" when we could as well as a trip to Disneyland.  The more people should equal more time to take it all in :) 

 I am a planner...I leave little to chance, although it always seems to make an appearance no matter how prepared I am.  I armed myself with my spreadsheet of Amelia's must sees: Elsa and Anna, Fantasyland with Teacups and Dumbo, Small World, Meeting Characters (for some reason I didn't think this would be a waiting in line event...it was.), and a few shows.  Obviously, age dictates what you visit and this will change in a few years I am sure...to include more rides (gasp..and less princesses).   Alongside the MUST SEE's there was a  list of *asterisked To Do's that we did not complete, but we  did everything on her Must Do list :)

My advice...go for a week.  And include a Friday (in the winter months) so you can stay and watch the fireworks in the park.  Yes, it costs more, but it will cost much more to go back another time...because you didn't see everything.

While on the subject...GETTING THERE and WHERE TO STAY.

It's expensive to fly.  Period.  We used a frequent flyer and paid for 2.  Cost us $800 for the 2 tickets, however, I am factoring in another $400 as now I have to buy tickets to head back East this summer (much more than $400 per ticket).  So, $1,200 as nothing is ever free. 

We stayed in a great condo...directly across the street.  Be warned, it's walkable, however, it's a long walk.  Don't forget you will be walking all day.  BRING THE PROPER SHOES.  One's you can wear all day without problems.  Every blog on disneyland / disney world advised the same.   Since we had a group of 10, we saved a lot in staying at a condo.  And it was great for the kids to sleep in bunk beds and play.  We never got to the pool.   Cost was about $400 for 4 nights per group...$1,200 or so total.  If we were by ourselves though, I would stay at the Disneyland Hotel.   The cost then would be somewhat comparable and you get the experience of being right at Disney and for me ... well worth the bit extra.  I glanced too at VRBO.com and not many smaller condos around Disney that are walkable.  So large group...get a condo to save a lot.  Small family...splurge :)

Transportation to and from airport:  Get a limo.   We had a town car actually that we rented thru limo.com.  The cost:  $85 one way.  IF we took a taxi the cost was at least that and maybe more if you got stuck in traffic.  Disneyland Bus...$150 round trip for 3 adults with kids free .. lots of stops and will drop you at the disneyland hotel where we would have had to walk with our luggage to the condo (remember I said it's a long walk?)   You could rent a car.  We did not need a car for Disneyland, nor did Rob and I  want to drive in LA traffic after flying a day to get there, we would have had to keep the car a week and with all taxes even the best deal is not as cheap as the limo.   Uh...I think this is a no brainer.   The driver texted me an hour before scheduled pick up (I got it the minute we landed) and we grabbed our bags and there he was.  He was at our condo 1/2 hour prior to pick up.  Couldn't have asked for better service.

We bought our tickets thru Parksavers.  It's Expedia really but with parks.  Saved a bit and every dollar can be shifted to other costs (like limo rides :)  

Food.  We generally eat out once a day when on vacation.  We pack foods for snacks and quick lunches.  We planned on eating out once a day at Disney...reserved Disney Character restaurants for Amelia's enjoyment.  We planned to bring a lunch in our backpacks or grab something minimal at a stand etc.  The reservation process at Disneyland requires you to reserve WELL in advance.  But how do you know when you will want to eat????!  I tried to think ahead, but you can read from my previous blog posts they all fell thru.  I didn't want to interrupt Amelia's fantastic fun on rides nor did we want to wait around to eat when we could utilize that time better doing park activities.  Next trip I'd reserve for dinners as you know you will be hungry at 6 or 7....I think.  We did manage a wonderful dinner at the Jazz Kitchen ($70 for the 3 of us that included a kids meal, 2 entrees and beers :).   Although the character meals are expensive, lots of places are reasonable I felt.  I felt Disney was not as overpriced as I thought it would be or heard it was.  Which brings me to shopping :)

We told her she could buy one thing at the end of each day so we didn't have to carry anything extra around.  She thought hard about what she wanted...there was no winning at all.   First day...we went at the end of the day to the gigantic Disney Store.  She picked out Duchess, the white cat from Aristocrats.  $20.  Must be she is not very popular hahaha.  Second day...Princess Mouse Ears...$20.  Third a $30 Stitch pillow that she kept mentioning throughout the day.  We picked it up after the parade.  I bought her and cousin Kate a pair of clip on Frozen earrings when they had their makeovers (more on that in a minute)...$8 a piece .   Grammy had given each kid spending money and Amelia saved her card money.    I also bought her an Elsa pin for her backpack...$8.  I would have bought a few post cards and a souvenir book and maybe a tshirt..but I ran out of time...and forgot at the end of the day.  

ELSA ANNA MAKEOVER

So many people I talked to said to do this.  SOOOO glad we did.  $35 and they get to keep a crown, the makeup, brushes, colored hair extensions and nail polish.    They make it a very magical experience for the kids and although I think Amelia was a bit nervous at first...she loved it.  

I made the reservation a couple months earlier at the suggestion of Amelia's best buddy Kayla's mom, Kendra.  They had just gone to Disneyland for the first time in January and her advice was essential to my planning.  We have kids that are two peas in a pod...this helps!  She highly recommended the makeover early in the day (so they could enjoy it as long as they can) and then said to get a Fast Pass for the meet and greet with Elsa right after as they would be all dolled up.  It took a bit of thinking and waiting for the "right time" to grab the Fast passes, but I was back to the shop before they even stepped foot in it.   Then right from their we headed back to meet the Queen and Princess. 

RIDES and ATTRACTIONS

Again, we didn't go on some of the famous rides.  I really wanted to do Radiator Springs, however, I wasn't sure Amelia was up for it as it did go a bit fast.  We had tickets one evening but called it a night before our time was up.  An evening ride might have been ok, but I really didn't want any fear to spoil her trip.  I didn't push her on any ride she didn't want to go on.  We did the Snow White Scary Adventure which I read on Disney description to be dark and scary for little ones.  I knew it was a bit much for her and when I suggested Pinocchio's ride that was similar, she said "No, I just like the carousel".  Done.  Now you could say she missed out, but I know if she was forced she would have had a rotten day.  It is her day after all :)  

For my newly 5 year old, Fantasyland was the best place for her.  Teacups, Dumbo, Circus Train, Sleeping Beauty Castle...all the perfect speed for her.  Oh and countless rides on the carousel (if you read this blog you will know that carousel's are Amelia's favorite aside from Pony rides that is.)

We stopped at the Petting Zoo in Frontierland and took a horse drawn ride down main street Disneyland.  She loved it.  Toontown was a hit with cartoon buildings to romp thru and things to touch and get your dose of the measles. :)   We hit Adventureland but it was super crowded and aside seeing Jasmine (she was with boy Aladdin and large headed genie and was a no photo op), we didn't do anything else there.  We did miss the New Orleans area as we were pressed for time and I didn't think Amelia would be thrilled.

We absolutely loved the Storyteller's Theatre (Frozen was the story...you can see Amelia's head right down front in the pic above.)  This was a Fast Pass attraction, so I had grabbed passes earlier to work with our schedule.  


We did do the carousel on the California side, the Under the sea Adventure (slower and more of a show than Snow White's), Flik's Flyers and Francis' Ladybug Boogie.  All were entertaining for my 5 year old.  We caught an early show of the Frozen Sing a long (it's a Fast Pass show, however, we arrived early to the 9am show and avoided any lines or waits).  The last number was the best and I don't think Rob, myself, Amelia or Kate enjoyed it as much as the Storytellers Show, which was more intimate and original.  Olaf's Snow Fest was fabulous even though we live where winter is 8 months long , snow at Disneyland is just...well...better.  All the characters that we met were wonderful.  I had made her an autograph book that I will "assemble" shortly and do a post on it...eventually.  It will be one thing we treasure and perhaps add to in the future.

Photos and Cameras

I always have a camera.  Always.  I love photography and love capturing Amelia these past 5 years in all her glory.  I do many movies as well, but photos add a touch of magic for me.

I have a Nikon 7000.  I have 2 zooms and a portrait lens.  I was tempted to bring 2, but I didn't want to carry them on the plane nor around the park.  I didn't think switching lens was a good idea and I thought a zoom wasn't that practical.  So I brought my portrait and was very happy with the results.  I used my iPhone 6 camera for many too.  I contemplated my video camera, high quality video, but opted for my iPhone  and Nikon for any videos.  Again, just because I really didn't want to lug anything else around (more on lugging in a bit).  Oh and my camera lens has a filter on for lens protection too.

Photo Pass

I received my Photo Pass disc the other day ... many of the photos in this post are those pics.

Photo pass was suggested by my friend Kenda and her mom, Chrystie.  They bought the pass at Disneyland for $99, I bought it for $69 on line within 2 weeks of our trip.  WELL WORTH IT.   Disney has set up photographers at key points throughout both parks.  For many of the characters (all of the Frozen characters and others that were part of attractions) a photographer takes the picture of your kid and he photographer and scans your photo pass (that you picked up at the camera shop just inside the park).  NO worries if you are too preoccupied and forget to show your pass they will give you another card with the pics on it.  AND any other people in your party can get the pics they like and add them in.  All cards are then loaded on to your account that you set up at Disneyphotopass.com.  View all your pictures, embellish them if you would like and then order your disc with all your high quality pics.  You even get another disc of Disney pics to be used for personal use in scrapbooks etc.    They came out rather nice I thought!  Since one of the pics can cost $15...again...no brainer.  We received close to 150 photos and added another 50 when I added borders to originals and cropped etc.  The originals and the changed pictures all are included on your disc.

The Backpack

 I wanted the freedom of my arms and nothing over my shoulder to slip off.  My camera was always around my neck or slung over my shoulder for rides (luckily the portrait lens is short :)  I carried a backpack that included:  Button down sweater, extra light dress and underwear for Amelia, a long sleeve shirt for Rob and a light button-down sweater for myself as evenings and early mornings were a bit chilly.  NOTE:  Amelia wore her sweater and did not need extra clothes for her nor did Rob and I need our extras...we are Alaskans after all.  Sunscreen, however, was surely needed, bandaids, handsanitizer, tissues and a bag of snacks were also in the backpack, as well as the autograph book.  The first day I brought a water bottle that we attached to the backpack.  It leaked ... luckily not on the autograph book  that I had in a ziploc bag.  No more water bottle, I will get a water in the park if needed.  I also carried a cross body purse (small) for my credit cards, id and phone (that sometimes was just in my back pocket).  I could have put the tickets and photo pass in their too...but it was handy to have them on a lanyard that I had for the photo pass and even more accessible than in a zipped compartment.  

Most important...bring a stroller for kids.  This is an all day event.   Adults have a hard time managing it (had to give a couple bandaids to Grammy for her blistering feet)...imagine the kids legs and feet.  I had bought a pair of lightweight sneakers for her that she wore each day.  We had a stroller that was available at the condo.  No problems for Amelia at all.  I wore my danskos the first day and then sneakers the next 2...switching shoes (as long as they are comfy) work different muscles (remember I was a dancer).  I felt great ... I had a walking workout for 3 days!  Rob said his feet hurt a bit, but was fine.    He pushed the stroller for the most part and I carried the backpack and camera.  

So, backpack, crossover travel purse, lanyard and stroller.  Didn't feel weighed down at all.  Rob and I didn't do any rides together so he took all when I was on rides with Amelia.

I can't help but start planning another trip!  Hmm...maybe Disney World??? But I really loved Disneyland and definitely need to go back.  Oh and there's Hawaii.  Sigh.  I'll just work on a few Disney memory items...photo book, autograph book...etc etc.

WOW Easter is coming...must get busy.

Disneyland: Day Three

Day Three of our Disneyland Adventure.  It was catch up day...do all the things you didn't get to do the first 2 days :)

First on our list...Grab Fast Passes for 11:30 show of the Frozen Sing A Long.  

We arrived at shortly after 9 at the theater in the Adventureland side of the park.  To our surprise there was a 9:30 showing and we could go right in!  Score!  

I actually enjoyed the Storytellers show more.  Except for the ending song of Let it Go, that was sung by the entire cast, the others were just the sing a long movie playing on the big screen with a bit of acting in front.

The final song though was complete with great lighting and snow :)

Time to grab a beeper for Olaf's Snow Fest.  We waited for about 15 minutes before getting the beeper and then advised we could go play in the snow while we waited to meet Olaf

I could see where this attraction would be fantastic for Californians who have never experienced snow ... or sledding.

But we have :) But Amelia forgot she ever saw snow before.

Regardless, the Arendelle set was magnificent for the kids.

Lots of PhotoPass photographers that had the sense to fix their settings for dark blue and black lighting :)

Mastering the attention to detail, Disney completed the set with an Arendelle band "the Fjords".

I loved the attention to detail throughout both parks.

Our beeper went off!  They are letting us see Olaf ahead of 20 people who were not responding to their pagers!  Woo Hoo!

Woah Woah Woah...big head ... boy!  What is going on!?!  A hug? And a warm one at that?!  Apparently, anything Frozen supercedes the character rules Amelia had set in place.

All things Frozen were now checked off our list.  Ta Da!  We now had a conundrum.  Remember our last chance at a Disney Character Dining experience was a 2:30 lunch at Ariel's Grotto?  Since we caught the 9:30 show and went ahead of 20 people at Olaf's Snow Fest...we were now looking at 11am.  Since the Grotto was on the Adventure side which we were on...we could find things to do here for 3 and a half hours or forgo the reservation and head to the Disneyland side for rides, etc and things we didn't get to do over there.  Sigh.  Let's ponder it over a spin on Triton's Carousel ride.

I found that Amelia, aside from all the Frozen events on the Adventure side, loved the Disneyland side much better...and I did too.  We could have done Disney Jr. shows and the animation studio, but Rob and I concluded to forgo the lunch  once again and head over to Disneyland where we were planning to head after our lunch anyways. This way, we had more time over there before the 4:00 parade start that was on our must see list.

One of the reasons we wanted to eat at Ariel's Grotto was to make sure we saw Ariel.  No worries!  She was right inside the Disneyland side of the park!  Yeah!

Let's get some rides in.  More teacups and Dumbo.

After meeting up with Kate, we ran into Cinderella!

Headed to the Snow White Scary Adventure (no pics).  I thought this might be a bit scary for Amelia and when I suggested a similar ride of Pinocchio ... she said no.  Kinda glad we didn't do any ride that was questionable (like Radiator Springs racers) as it might have doomed her for the day.   She was quite content with Princess hunting and the rides in fantasy land.

Time for the parade..but wait!  There is a line for Rapunzel!  We were the next to meet her when they said sorry Rapunzel needs to head to the parade, but Merida will be out in just a second.  EVEN BETTER!

We just made the parade and thanks to a nice couple who let the girls sit right down in front!

Amelia LOVED this parade and has been playing parade to the YouTube video we found ever since we arrived home. 

We spotted a "Surprise" princesses line and jumped in before heading back.

Think Amelia was looking pretty frazzled by this point.  Still excited, but tired :)  Mulan is one of her favs.

She said "oh wait...this is a different Snow White".  She's no dummy.   OH and a different Cinderella too! :)

Time to head back...pack up and head home.  

But first a nod to Walt Disney where his light in his apartment is always left on as his spirit is always there.

Goodnight Walt.  Goodnight Disneyland.  We will return.

Next post I will give a few observations and things I will definitely do again...and things I won't :)