Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Disneyland 2017


There is nothing quite like a mad rush to plan your "once in a lifetime" family trip to Disneyland. We originally planned to take the kids in November, but then Kyle's work trip required a postponement, so we had slated a week in January when the kids had a couple days off teacher work days. We had been meaning to really get on top of the planning, but then we encountered so much insanity all at once (broken cars, beloved pets being killed by predators, Kyle's work stress at an all time high, Marin's health crisis, not the mention the regular increase of holiday preparation). So needless to say, we got way behind. Right around the time of Marin's diagnosis, we finally got airplane tickets and booked our condo.  Both at astonishing low rates (off season baby!), only to face the huge daunting task of facing regular Disney planning now including a Celiac girl in the early stages of healing. Red alert! (but see, we had already told the kids we were going! So another delay would have pushed the trip out AGAIN possibly another year).

We just decided to go for it. And boy are we glad we did... We had literally, the time of our lives. I prepared and researched for Celiac, I read the Disney guide book, we bought all the "ahead of time" stuff online to make things smoother, and we had a BLAST. 

Southern California sun (75-80 degrees during the daylight hours, so amazing), low to medium wait times for rides (although it did seem pretty crowded still at times), a 4 day Park Hopper which we used to the fullest (there from open to close every day with NO NAPS, besides stroller naps) and four sweet kids who now adore Disney as much as me. Even the anti-crowd Daddy of the family had a total blast, and it was the first time in a LONG time he has totally unplugged from work stress, he slept well, he felt good, we had so much fun. What a gift.

We had our share of struggle balancing all the needs (dietary needs, ride speed, sensitivities to being scared, being wet, waiting in lines, where to go, when to go) but aside from a few well placed meltdowns (adults included), I must say WE WERE CHAMPS. I'm proud of us! We had so much fun, I'm still smiling when I think about all we did together. I cannot think of one aspect missing from our trip, it was truly a beautiful thing. Lifetime of memories. We SAY we will only take the kids to Disney once, but someone should invite us to come with them (maybe that would get us there again!)

Shuttle to our rental car

Airplane buddies

Shuttle into Downtown Disney at night!

Our daily walk!

The Mickey Garden at Disneyland Hotel

First ride - Dumbo

Crazy ride buddies

Dolly got sick the first park day from food issues, Daddy took good care of
her at  "home" for a few hours until she felt better

Disneyland selfie

Pluto

Goofy

Pirates of the Caribbean

Ditzy blondes ;)

Shooting range in Frontierland


Radiator Springs 
Spash Mountain


Splash

Finding Nemo submarine ride

Autopia (everyone's favorite!)

Marcus in the driver's seat


Luigi's Tractors



Turkey legs for lunch


California Adventure after dark

The Swings

Mickey Lightsaber

Mickey

Stormtrooper

Big and Little

Fawn

California Screamin'

Lightning McQueen

Snow White

Mickey Bubbles


PDX airport shoes





Dad giving a pep talk

Waiting on Main Street




Teacups til we puke!

Sweet girl loved her shows, characters and sweet rides


Minnie

Cotton Candy face (first time at Disney pin!)

Toon Town



Castle at night


"Rocket Ride" - Marcus loved this!

Max lost a tooth on our trip

Girls having a serious talk (I'm glad they have each other.
I think they were mad at at us!)

Woody





Pin trading - SUPER fun!

Splash Mountain


Tigger

Pooh Bear

Getting taxi'd around

Disney took exceptional care of my allergy girl

Marcus' favorite treat






All six of us on Radiator Springs

Marin forced me onto California Screamin' - I survived


Fave souvenirs - Build a Bear 




I went on Indiana Jones - BY MYSELF!
Exhilarating

We hugged a lot on this trip - I love it


My sweet girls

A vision of their future

I also went on Space Mountain BY MYSELF!
Front row, I loved it!







Everyone #1 ride ;)

Sisters

Marin's special souvenir

My sweet four

Airplane pals


Welcome home to Portland - freezing rain and icicles on the car!