Disneyland #4: Fantasyland and Bug's Land

So let's talk about rides for the little kids. Fantasyland is the section for this at Disneyland and Bug's Land is the section for this at California Adventure. I have a friend with kids just a little older than mine who found Fantasyland completely boring. If all of your children are 40" or taller, I think you could bypass Fantasyland altogether as many of the rides mimic adult rides. However, if you have a child 40" or shorter, this is the place to go! Our time in these 2 sections ended up being the most fun because both kids could go on every ride. I didn't have to disappoint Samantha, and we maximized our time by riding rides and not skipping rides. And if a vehicle didn't fit all 3 of us, I stayed with Samantha while Timothy rode (or drove) on his own. That helped him feel "bigger".

TIP: We got in line for the Alice in Wonderland ride around 3:20, not realizing that the beginning of the 3:30 parade would be close to us. We got to listen (see some of it) while we stood in line because there is "still" show for several minutes before the actual parade begins. The ride is elevated, so while we were on the ride I got this shot...

This picture so represents how far we've come in Timothy's SPD. When he was Samantha's age, he wouldn't get near a Merry-Go-Round. Thank you God!

TIP: Scattered throughout Fantasyland are these vehicles from the rides that give you a chance to get a decent picture.

TIP: If your kids will let you, skip the Ladybug ride in Bug's Land. It's the same ride as the teacups, but much jerkier.

TIP: Be aware that Bug's Land has THREE water areas. If you allow your child to get wet, it may be pretty hard to get just a little wet. Make sure you have a change of clothes and underwear the day you go to Bug's Land. Disneyland cast members came by every 10 minutes or so telling everyone they must wear shoes, so I would also recommend water shoes. I didn't have shoes, but I did have dry socks, which helped Timothy's feet not feel the soaked through tennies (Samantha was more cautious).

TIP: Bug's Land has easily accessible family bathrooms that were perfect for changing into dry clothes after all the water fun was over.

Hearts at Home Blogger

Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering? I don't know about you, but there hasn't been any one role in my life that has been as challenging and overwhelming as this one!

There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.

Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.

In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement. Look for more Hearts at Home posts in the near future!

Disneyland #3: Family & 4 Food Tips

This trip would not have been the same without Andy & Danni (my BIL & SIL). The kids loved getting to spend time with them, and as you can see Samantha did not miss any opportunities to do some climbing!

It's been a long time since she's had "Daddy-sized arms" to hold her!


Thank you, Andy & Danni. We love you guys!


FOOD TIPS

We did not eat at many restaurants, but I can give a few food tips. Of course food was not cheap, but the good news is that you can really find some good-tasting and even healthy options.

1. Fruit-all over both parks are fresh fruit stands. So cool! You can buy a piece of fruit for $1.75 or $2.75, which is no more expensive than any other snack. It was great to fill my kids' bellies with a banana before cotton candy or churros! And I'm especially impressed that with our concern of childhood obesity, Disney is actually doing something about it!

2. Bakery Tour & Mission Tortilla Factory Tour-I know you're thinking...really, you went to Disneyland & wasted your time on a factory tour? Why do them?

• They are fast. The tortilla tour was maybe 3 minutes, and the bakery tour was a little longer.
• They are educational. There is a short video before each one, and the tortilla tour video really caught both of my kids' attention.
• They give samples-the bakery tour sample was kind of weak, but you get a free tortilla at the tortilla tour! AND, if you are wearing your Birthday pin, you get an entire pack of tortillas!
• Right behind the Mission Tortilla Factory is DELICIOUS Mexican food restaurant, so you might as well walk through the factory to get there!

3. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill-yummy! Full Mexican platters. The website says it's "quick service", and all that means is that you stand at the window to order. Not fast food, but definitely worth the wait. Andy/Danni found it on the same day as I did, separately, and we told each other about how good it was later when we met up. We liked it so much we went back the next day. Both tours and this restaurant are all right beside each other in the Golden State of California Adventure.

4. Redd Rockett's Pizza Port-This is in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, and it's fast & spacious. If you're just getting pizza (which was us), you can go on through and don't even have to stand in line. If you want pasta dishes or large salads, those options are available as well.

As just another example of how we were thinking alike. Andy & Danni bought this pretzel:



And I bought this sourdough bread at the fruit stand right outside the Bakery Tour:


Assignment #2 on 31DBBB was Write a List Post. I love list posts and possibly use them way too often, but this post is another example of one.

Mother's Day Giveaway

Can you believe it's almost time for Mother's Day? Well, 5 Minutes for Books is having a giveaway event April 15 - 25, and you could win! Over the course of those 11 days, they will be giving away 17 books worth over $225. The books will include novels, memoirs, other non-fiction, and books to encourage a mother's heart. Each book will have at least one winner AND one person will win the grand prize of every single book featured in this giveaway. For complete details click here.

Disneyland #2: Characters

My kids don't have much Disney stuff, so before the trip I ordered these 2 sweatshirts from DisneyOutlet.com for $6.99/each (if you don't live in Southern Cal, just know it's cold here early morning and night). Samantha picked Pluto because, you guessed it, this was the only red sweatshirt. And then she really wanted me to pick green for Timothy's favorite color. Believe it or not, Samantha's sweatshirt is a size smaller than Timothy's. She's just that little.

TIP: Disney Shopping has fantastic deals, and they've got some cute products for Earth Day which is April 22nd. In addition, if you take 3 bottles to a Disney store on Earth Day, you get a free gift while supplies last.

So what's funny is that I didn't really plan on focusing on the Disneyland characters, but once you're there the Disneyland magic takes over! We didn't get our first autograph until Day #2, and I had no idea how happy that would make me feel (oh yeah, and my kids). My friend Sheila gave me tons of Disney advice before we went, so I knew to buy an autograph book before going. I purchased small spiral pads from the $1 section at Target that had Lightning McQueen on the front. I'm sure there are cheap princess notepads somewhere as well. Since Disney has yet to don a princess in red, though, Samantha passed on all things princess. She's excited enough to say "Oh, a princess" and then moves on to her favorite color.

These days instead of the characters walking around as freely as they used to, many of them have a "home" where you stand in line to take pictures with them or get their autograph. It makes me kind of sad because it doesn't seem as spontaneous and magical that way.

TIP: Mickey's Toon Town (where you find Mickey & his friends) opens an hour later than the rest of the park. During that first hour they are at the very front of the park giving autographs. Yes, there are small lines/crowds that have developed, but they are much shorter than in Toon Town, and you don't feel like you're in line for a ride just to get a picture.

TIP: The downside is that you may need to rush to a very popular ride first thing in order to avoid long lines. Samantha isn't 40 inches, so we didn't have that need (option). The Disney map will tell you what areas you can find all kinds of characters. Another option, though, if you want to get the autographs 1st thing in the morning is to try the popular rides during the parades.

Chip

Dale

We stop this exciting autographing to talk to Dad in Thailand! "See, Dad, I just met Minnie and Chip & Dale!!!"

Samantha was scared to have her picture taken with Cruella Deville (no brainer) and Goofy. Goofy is scary? Even though Cruella was "mean" she was one of the more enjoyable charcters to interact with because she talked. Sheila told me that Cruella liked her daughter wearing red instead of the "awful pink" that was everywhere. Cruella told Timothy she liked that his sister was wearing black with white polka dots. Last picture on this post for reference.

When Dan and I were "dating" (long distance) he gave me a goofy stuffed animal, so honey this picture is for you!

Mad Hatter was very funny, but he & Alice wouldn't stand still so no one could get in a line. It was frustrating!

Even though Samantha barely knew who Pluto was when she picked out this sweatshirt, because he was on her shirt she developed a special connection to him. This picture doesn't even do it justice (maybe if you click to enlarge it you can see better), but she was glowing seeing him. It's like how I've heard girls are with the princesses. She was in total awe!

And then she had to show Pluto that he was on her sweatshirt:

When we finished, she said, "Mom, I want to show Pluto my stroller." (This sit-n-stand was a God send from a mom in my MOPS group, and because it was "new" the kids thought of it as a special treat!)

Here's the one picture we had to get by standing in the fairly long Mickey line (although I hear that's nothing compared to the Princess line-the ONLY way to see the princesses). See how it's not as cool to have an exit door in the background? In the morning, though, he was standing in front of the Fire Station on Main Street, and that would have been great. We just didn't get over to him in time.

This was the only picture of characters I got at California Adventure (although there are plenty of others!) That's the "San Francisco Bridge" in the background.

Samantha wasn't the only one influenced by her sweatshirt. I wish I had gotten a picture of Timothy with Buzz Lightyear (Disney regulars, is there a Buzz?) Timothy picked this gun as his 1 souvenir, and Samantha quickly followed suit!