Summer Trip Part 3: DisneyLand

During our time in Southern California this year, we managed to make it to Disneyland three (yes, three!) times. We were able to meet many many characters, including most of the princesses that Ella is fascinated with right now. Our dear friend Angie came to spend a weekend with us and went with us the first day we went to Disney.  Grandma Cope joined us for our second day at California Adventure.  And our friends Jason & Tiffany and their boys spent some time with us on our third day. 

This was a really fun year to do Disney.  Both of the girls were tall enough for nearly every ride.  And they both bravely rode every ride we wanted to do.  Some of the rides elicited comments like, "That was too scary!  I don't want to do that again!" (Tower of Terror, Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain), but they were amazingly good sports and we only had one small meltdown in 3 days at the parks. 

First roller coaster of the day.  



That's Ella with her hands up ready to ride!


Just a shot of Toon Town.  That blue sky is REAL sky.  The amazing thing about Toon Town is that Interstate 5 is right on the other side of that backdrop, but you would never know.




The Mad Hatter and Alice.


It was HOT while we were there- this marble ball rotated and spilled water down the sides. 


My chauffeur.


We were so lucky to get our turn with Rosetta (one of Tinkerbell's fairy friends) just at the time when Silvermist came out to take her place.  The girls got this photo with their favorite fairies.  And in fact, the souvenir they chose to take home from Disney (with their own money) were plush dolls of these 2 fairies.


Alexis was kind of fickle about being in photos with some of the characters.  She would act scared of some of them and hide behind me. So either I or Ella had to stand in first (here I am with TinkerBell and Terrence) before Alexis would warm up.  Unexpected behavior from her, but I guess Disney can be a little overwhelming?








Fireworks at DisneyLand.  Tinkerbell and Dumbo fly over the castle during the evening show.  Very exciting!






















The third day we went, we were joined by our friends Jason&Tiffany and their boys Trevor&Dylan.  Here are kids are all paired up- hand in hand.  Alexis & Trevor and Dylan & Ella.


Alexis rode in the front seat on Splash Mountain.  She got drenched!








Sleeping Beauty is Ella's favorite princess.  She also happened to be the very first one we saw on our first day there.






The teacups make me sick, but Angie and the girls took a spin.