We did four days in Disneyland and it really was the perfect amount of time for us. Our final day we wanted to hit our FAVORITES plus some rides we still hadn’t been able to get to yet.
Fantasyland
It was a very easy choice what we wanted to do first – IT’S A SMALL WORLD! This ride was closed when we first got to Disneyland but opened up while we were there and we had to go. We were really hoping this ride would be another winner for Lydia, and it did not disappoint. Lydia had the most joyful, peaceful look on her face and it was hard to watch the ride when you are sitting next to that kind of happiness. It was perfection.
The great thing about most of this day was the crowds felt a lot more minimal compared to our other days. And we were not complaining!
After It’s A Small World, Jacob wanted to try the Mattherhorn Bobsleds again and he really enjoyed it! The first time he was a little unsure but liked it so much more the second time! Mark, Jacob, and I did the Matterhorn, while the rest of the group did Alice in Wonderland again.
Adventureland
Next we headed back to Adventureland. I had missed out going on Indiana Jones the first time around and so Sarah hopped on that with me while the rest of the group went on the Jungle Cruise again.
moments to remember
Indiana Jones. Another highlight was getting some one-one-one time with Sarah. I love that little girl. I loved talking while we were in line and holding hands during the ride. She is such a sweetheart and I love being with her.
Jungle Cruise. Everyone got stuck on the boat (I guess it’s better than being stuck in line though!). There was some kind of problem with the boat ahead of them so they were on the cruise for quite awhile. When they got off though, they were given free lightning passes for another ride. The kids decided they wanted to do Smuggler’s Run again!
Galaxy’s Edge
Everyone got in line to go on Smuggler’s Run and Lydia and I went to have some one-on-one time together. We had fun walking around until we found a nice quiet spot and waited for the others. Everyone had a great time flying!
Frontierland
One land we had COMPLETELY neglected on our trip was Frontierland. We really wanted to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and we finally got our chance! Grandpa and Grandma stayed with Lydia while the rest of us rode and we had a BLAST!
Afterwards, we met back up with everyone and ate lunch at The Golden Horseshoe.
moment to remember
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The kids were just squealing with glee! But my favorite part had to be when we went down a big dip and Jacob yells, “OH MY…YES!”.
Critter Country
We couldn’t have a day of favorites and not make our way back over to Critter Country to say goodbye to Pooh. Again, easily the ride we did most on our trip. We love you, Winnie!
Fantasyland
Finally, we headed back over to Fantasyland, again. We still hadn’t done Snow White’s Enchanted Wish so we did that, hopped on the King Arthur Carousel, and then ended with Peter Pan’s Flight.
Lydia and I went over to the Baby Center and let me just say – this was such a GEM! This place is calm and relaxing and I just wanted to linger every time we went in! It was amazing.
While we were at the Baby Center, everyone else was getting us some Dole Whips. We had never had these and they were another must on our final day. And oh goodness, they really are as good as everyone says. So refreshing and perfect.
moment to remember
Dole Whips. The kids were really so good the entire trip. But Jacob was having a little bit of a hard time while we were breaking for our Dole Whips. But what I want to remember is our sweet Sarah. Jacob was sitting on the ground eating and she quietly just went over, sat next to him, and started talking. Jacob wasn’t really saying anything back, but she continued to talk and ask him questions. She is so good to her brothers and an example to all of us.
Cars Land
By this time it was midafternoon, but we just HAD to try and make another go for Radiator Springs Racers in California Adventure! Grandpa headed back to the hotel and the rest of us made our way to the other side. The Grandmas and Lydie hung out in Cars Land while the rest of us got in the very long line. It was oh so long but we had a blast. The ride was so much fun and we were happy to have experienced it.
Once we met back up with the Grandmas and Lydia, my parents went to go do some shopping and we grabbed dinner at Flo’s V8 Cafe.
Downtown Disney
After dinner, Grandma and us went over to Downtown Disney. The night before we hadn’t got done all of the shopping we were hoping, so we had to get it done. It was MADNESS. So many people. Everyone was able to get what they were looking for, except Jacob. On the very first day, he had seen a weighted Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal and he knew he wanted it! There were TONS and I thought absolutely nothing about waiting to get one. But we could find none.
Jacob was so sad. So so sad. We went back to the hotel and a couple minutes after we got back, Jacob was sitting in the back of his bed crying. We felt horrible. We were able to find it online and I assured him that it was coming. He felt better after that.
One of the great things about our hotel and the location of our room was that we could see the fireworks from our room. It was the perfect ending to have everyone all snuggled on their bunk beds with the door open being able to watch the fireworks.
Once all of the kids were in bed, Mark told me that he was going back to Disneyland. At that point, it was after nine and I was a little nervous about him walking around on his own. Of course, he wasn’t nervous at all and said he wanted to go back and try and find Jacob his Winnie the Pooh. And that, my friends, is just one of the many reasons Mark is such a good Dad. And one of the many reasons I love him.
I tried to gather things together while Mark went back to Disneyland. He got back around 11, with no luck. He was so disappointed. So Jacob, if you are reading this someday, know that your Dad tried because he loves you so very much.
Details
Dining
- The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland
- The Tropical Hideaway in Adventureand
- Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land
