Disneyland

We had one last "perk" remaining from Brent's days at ESPN - two tickets to any Disney park - and since they were set to expire June 2014, we decided to take a break from the rain of Seattle and head down to Southern California this past weekend. I think everyone was excited to have a long weekend vacation someplace warm!

We flew in late afternoon on Friday, in time to drive from LAX to our hotel and walk over to Downtown Disney for dinner. We learned a lot from last time so we stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott - right across the street from the entrance of the park. You have to walk through the entrance to the two parks (Disneyland and California) to get to Downtown Disney. ESPN Zone is the furthest restaurant at Downtown Disney, but from our hotel to the restaurant was only 0.7 miles - really easily walkable! We played around a bit at the Lego store, but then it was time to head in - we had a long day ahead of us!

 We decided to start at California Adventures first. After a quick breakfast, we headed to the back of the park to go on the Toy Story ride.... no such luck, it was down for maintenance. So on to the Ferris Wheel. I think Brock enjoyed the swinging! And we could see the ducks in the water below!

We headed over to Cars Land and Brock was able to see Lightin' McQueen drive down the street - he kept pointing at it like he recognized it from his toy. There were a few rides that required kids to be 32". He had just measured 31.75" at his 12 month checkup and we knew that he was good to go from Brent's "Measurement Mondays", but when it came time to stand up at the measuring stick, Brock kept scrunching up his neck wondering what this thing was above his head.... so the mean lady wouldn't let him on the rides. Ridiculous. 

"I found a stick and I'm keeping it!"

Unfortunately a lot of the rides required that height, so after one little ride in A Bug's World.... we decided we'd head to Disneyland early. 

 

Playing with the water ball in Tomorrowland

We grabbed a table in Tomorrowland in front of the Star Wars stage and had lunch. Brock was adorable swaying to the music while eating his lunch. Then it was time for naptime - we knew it was a necessity for him to stay out so late, so we headed back to the hotel for some R&R. 

We were back at the park by 4 o'clock and headed straight to Fantasyland. So many of these rides are so dark! It really is a wonder how these kids aren't so scared. Brock seemed to be okay with Pinocchio and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - he sat between us on the rides and cozied right up into Brent's side for the louder parts. I wanted to take him on Dumbo - but that was a 40 minute wait! And there are NO fastpass rides in Fantasyland at Disneyland - very different than Disney World.

Posing in a teacup!

The only ride Brock probably didn't like was the Haunted Mansion. In the beginning part of the ride, the crowd is corralled into a room in which the ceiling slowly starts to rise. As the narrator talks about how "you'll never get out of here alive...", the lights go out, loud thunder..... and Brock wailed. Of course Brent was holding him at the time and EVERYONE turned to look at him and said "awww". Yes, bad parents award. He really was fine after that.

I had made dinner reservations about a month ago for Big Thunder Ranch Barbeque and I am so very glad I did - the food was amazing! It's a sit-down restaurant (so $$$$) with a stage for live music in the back. This restaurant offers all you-care-to-enjoy barbecue chicken, ribs, smoked sausage, corn on the cob, coleslaw, ranch beans and corn bread! Everything was so tasty! Halfway through our meal, Brock and I got on stage for a little rendition of "This Land is Your Land"!

What better place to have a light-up toy than at Disneyland at night? Brock was thrilled!

And the last ride of the night was Buzz Lightyear.

Bad picture, but the only pic we got of the castle was while waiting in line for Buzz!

Sunday was spent walking around Downtown Disney and exploring the Grand California Hotel before we left for the airport. 

They all look so yummy!

"Hey! What is that green stuff I'm stepping on??!?"

My handsome men

 Right before we left, we stopped at the World of Disney and let Brock hug all the stuffed animals he wanted. I think he was in heaven! He literally fell back in to the display - he loved it.

Seriously, we are NOT going back to any Disney park until Brock is at least four years old.... or we win the lottery. We had a really nice time, but let's wait longer for the next trip so we can all enjoy it a little more (and we can do more!). :)