Keeping It Real: We're Going to Disneyland!

Errrr...em, we already went to Disneyland! Like 4 months ago! No matter. Better late than never to document and memorialize a historic event such as this in the Woodbury Household.

This is the 5 of us! You just can't see Ruby in the carseat.stroller very well.

This was a much looked forward to vacation. Timed perfectly in all aspects-- We went the first week of February. I'm sure I've made mention before that Kyle and I are not fond of lines or crowds. This was a GREAT time to avoid the crowds and seize the opportunity on slashed hotel prices. Also, I HAD FEET! As in, two working, walking feet. I was still sporting a single medical shoe on one foot, but could totally walk without pain. Truth be told, we tossed the idea around of going while I was still sporing the wheelchair, allowing us to skip lines altogether, but in the end decided against it. Ruby was at a great age where she was old enough to be sleeping through the night and young enough that she could still fall asleep in the stroller (carrier on a snap 'n go, BEST stroller ever). and we didn't need to go back to the hotel for naps. Savvy still takes naps, but she can live without them. She and Cade were both at great ages that they will actually perhaps remember this vacation.

We booked a two-room suite with a little kitchenette that was across the street from the Hotel. In hindsight, I think I would have gone with a little bit larger (and okay, nicer...but then I sound snobbish) hotel room that was further away from the park. With young kids, they were walking a lot across the street anyway and by the time we actually made it inside the park, they were exhausted. A shuttle from a further away hotel would have saved their energy and legs, and I don't think would have affected our arrival or departure time to and from the park at all. The pictures online for the hotel we stayed at were quite misleading, or perhaps the Butlers (the family we vacationed with) and us just happened to get one of the few un-renovated rooms? Who knows. But we didn't spend that much time in the room, so it really wasn't a big deal.

Justin, crazy man, drove his car to Disneyland while he sent his wife, Julia on an airplane with their two kids. The five of us also took an airplane (our reason being to take the most advantage of our time taking Cade out of school) and Justin picked us up from the airport and drove us straight to the hotel. So nice! I think also in hindsight, we would've heeded Justin's advice and driven our van. We were coming off a long winter of a number of road trips to Boise so the thought of more hours in the car for vacation didn't exactly appeal to us. Although we had recently purchased our beloved Van, Kyle and I weren't really in the mood to break it in on a trip to Disneyland. But after the trip we decided we could have stood to loose a day or two in travel, and it wouldn't have been a big deal. So we say. Who knows if we actually ever drive there though! 'Twould never hurt to stop in Vegas at my aunt and uncles house though...

We originally planned to spend 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventures, then go to Lego Land., then the last day at the beach The children were having SUCH a great time they couldn't BEAR the thought of leaving Disneyland, so we nixed that idea. But, after the 4th day, the novelty had worn off a bit, and I think they would have LOVED Lego-Land. By Friday, the crowds were seriously picking up, so we spent the day at a hotel pool/mini water park.

Savvy, feeding Daddy grapes by the poolside.

We all had a great time. I think our original plan was a good one, but it's so hard to know how things will go, and how the kids will react. After all, the whole idea of the park is to ENJOY yourself.

We did indulge in a character dinner, which we enjoyed, but we were all surprised at how full we got so soon. After some quiet pondering and meditation over the matter (haha) I realized the culprit. Chocolate milk. Ordering the chocolate milk, adults included, and drinking TWO glassfuls before we got our plates for dinner prevented us from making very many trips to the buffet. Alas. Next time, we'll order water. The food was great and it was hilarious watching Savannah delight in each character she got to meet. Cade was a little "cool" for them, but secretly enjoyed himself.

Julia and I kiss Chip. Or was it Dale? Don't remember. One of my favorite chldhood shows was Chip 'N Dale, Rescue Rangers. Remember, Melody?

Cade, Belle, Savvy, Anthony and Shelby. Not moments later did I learn that Justin had a favorite Disney Character. Belle! Having her present for the character dinner made his week. I'm completely serious.

While at Califorina Adventures I took Cade on the Hollywood Tower Hotel ride not realizing the eery creepyness of the line-wait entertainment, and then the actual heart-dropping ride. It was just a short line so I said, "hey, lets go on this ride!" He didn't cry. He didn't scream. He just kind of sat there in shock. Poor kid. The best part though was Savannah asking Cade over and over to recount the entire experience from start to finish. They went to bed that night talking about it, then when they woke up she drilled him with more questions. Cade definitely felt pretty special to be the expert on the ride in Savvy's eyes. Until Kyle snuck her on the next day. Savannah proved to be our daredevil. ALthough she was about an inch or two too short, he simply whisked her through the line passed the entry attendant and they made it without further questioning. Phew. To say she LOVED it would be an understatement. She squealed and laughed hysterically each time the ride dropped in the air. I can just imagine her face now! She still speaks fondly of that ride and can't wait to go back. Hopefully then she'll be legal. Cade was tall enough, or rather, trained to elevate his feet just barely enough to hit the benchmark without being noticed, but he wasn't interested in going on the rides. Sav would have given ANYTHING to be a few inches taller. Or wearing Go-Go boots.

We enjoyed "It's a Bug's Life" and the Toy Story rides. Sav LOVED the Ferris Wheel for being so high in the sky, but then got kind of bored of it. It wasn't thrill-seeking enough for her, apparently.

We got to the park most mornings by 10 and the kids were in bed most evenings by 8. Once, while dining in Mimi's Cafe, both of them fell asleep during their wait for dinner. It was an unexpected quiet, pleasant meal for Kyle and I.

Another attraction we did on a whim was the Jedi training. We had just gotten off the Nemo ride and heard some music and followed it to the Star Wars presentation. They were in the middle of choosing their Jedi-trainees and Cade got selected. We enjoyed him watching him learn how to activate and deactivate his lightsaber. Before we left the park for good, we purchased two of them for continued training and defense purposes. Cade was thrilled. In fact, just yesterday he donned a Jedi costume he received at a birthday party, complete with personalization of his Jedi name, "Edac," and brought his lightsaber over to play with his cousin Tyler. Cracked me up.

Some other highlights in no particular order...
* Cleanliness. I so appreciated how clean and well-kept the entire park is. It's SO nice! I grew up going to Kings Dominion, a Paramount park, and while it is FULL of really great rides, it is also full of grafitti, chewed gum, and that icky, sticky feeling of germs everywhere. Disneyland was beautiful and sanitary. Even the bathrooms. Especially the bathrooms.

* You could pick Mormons out pretty easily at the park. And there were lots of them! Makes sense, it's such a family friendly place and Mormons are known for big families with young children.

* Kyle and I cracked up at all the people video taping the fireworks and light shows. We really wondered if these people would ever watch the show on their camcorder ever again. I wanted to turn off their cameras and just let them enjoy it in the present.

* It's a Small World = World's largest showcase of every ethnic stereotype known to man. It was hilarious and at the same time, I am shocked the ACLU hasn't shut the ride down. The song didn't leave my head for weeks. Savannah LOVED this ride, Cade hated it. I thought it was a perfect ride to sit and relax for a few minutes to feed the baby.

* This trip marked the week when Ruby was unintentionally weaned. Simultaneously, she sprouted her bottom teeth that week and I took a bunch of Sudafed to ward off a cold, not realizing that's what you take when you want your milk to dry up. Oops. I was sad, but it turned out okay and Ruby made the transition just fine. I think I was the one most sad about it.

* This baby carrier was the greatest thing ever! Especially for taking Ruby on the Buzz Lightyear ride so I could actually shoot and aim my laser properly.

Justin returning this handy device he rented for his Dad. The kids had a blast riding with him on it. It was a sad day returning this for not just his dad, but the kids.

Their highlight of the year. Did you know Disneyland sells hunks of meat the size of this cotton candy? Not kidding. It's kind of barbaric-feeling watching so many people eating them.

Savannah's reaction to the characters was endearing and entertaining. She would literally get lost in the arms of these big creatures and just hug them with all her might.

Cade was often too cool for the characters, or just not interested in meeting them. Here are the few he wanted to meet:

This one surprised me. Cade really did request this shot with Cinderella.

Cade's all-time FAVORITE character. This was a very important introduction that took place. Did you know Donald is the only one permitted to speak (with exception to the princesses)? He really spoke like Donald Duck. And did you know Daisy is the most difficult character to photograph and greet? I don't know if it's because her hours are few and far between or what, but it's a true story.