Those making the annual pilgrimage - Me, DH, DD (6), DS1 (4), DS2 (20 months)

So we have been home for several weeks now and I have yet to post anything about my trip so here goes . . .

Left home on the 6th of March - we live in Southeastern Utah and it's about a 13 hour trip to Anahiem for us. We sent our kids to school in the morning so they could count the day, since our first grader will be missing six days for this trip! We stopped for dinner in Cedar City, Utah, where at dinner our baby threw up all over the table (sorry everyone with a weak stomach!) setting the tone for how he would be THE ENTIRE TRIP! Drove to Mesquite, NV for the night. We got up early the next morning - out the door by 7 - everyone is VERY excited to get to Disneyland so no sleeping in (darnit!) Actually I was glad to be up, after spending the night sleeping on what I swear was a slab of concrete! Hands down WORST night of sleep I have ever had! **Note to self - NEVER stay there again! Stopped in Barstow to go the bathroom - gas is nearly $4.00 a gallon here!!! WOW! Finally made it to Anaheim, love the butterflies I get when we turn on to Harbor and we are almost there! We booked thorugh Disney Travel this year and we are staying at the Tropicana for the first time. Pulled in and I was thrilled with the entrance - a place to park while we checked in and the couryard was open and not like the alley that most of the Harbor hotels have! I really liked that from the start! Got checked in and were happy with the room - it's a little smaller than we are used to, but even with five of us and a crib we were comfortable! and it was clean (in the end, I WOULD stay here again! I liked parking right in front of my room - liked the couryard and the pool, and I liked that I couldn't hear the TV in the rooms next to me all night! It was really quiet here compared to other Harbor hotels we have stayed at!)

We swam in the pool and then got ready to go to DTD for dinner - while our 4 yo was in the tub, he fell and cut a couple large holes in his lip (the same one he cut WIDE open and had 12 stiches in on New Years Eve)!! I was having flashbacks and there was a lot of blood, so I was preparing for a trip to the ER! Luckily, my DH was more level headed than me and got everything under control :) ! Our son was fine and we headed for dinner. This was my first time in DTD and it was lovely at night! But everyone was mad at me for not getting our tickets upgraded because it was so hard to walk past the gates and NOT go into the park! :)

The next day we went to Sea World - it's been five years since our last visit (and I can only do it every five years . . . I'm just NOT into fish! LOL) The baby threw various fits throughout the day (of course!) but he also had the wonderful moments of happy - that's just his personality and you can't help but love him becuase he is so darn cute!!!!

DD and I rode the Journey to Atlantis and she was FREAKED out! The ride photo we bought was hillarious - we both looked scared - and soaked! An hour and a half later we were back in Anaheim and put everyone in bed - Tomorrow . . . DISNEYLAND!!!

I love Tropicana Inn also! We live in San Diego, so it is perfect, we drive up on a Saturday Morning, park at the Tropicana (free) and just walk across the street into the park *Closer than Mickey & Friends* After our big day, we just walk back across and go to sleep...perfect!
Usually we get the regular rooms, but when hubbie and I went by ourselves last year, we got the room w/ a king bed and a little balcony, which was not any more expensive and a little nicer...
When we are only there for 1 night and we will essentially spending no time in the room I feel the Tropicana is perfect and inexpensive, as my Mom used to always say "Cheap & Cheerful"
Glad you had a great trip, traveling with little ones is always and adventure, sounds like you came through on top, with great memories and a few funny stories!

Thanks for the report! We'll be arriving at the Tropicana in a couple days. It's been over 5 years since we last stayed there so I was relieved to hear it is still nice, CLEAN, and quiet!

to Franz - it's now my Fav Harbor Hotel w/i walking distance!

Back to the report -

Disney Day 1 - Trip day four http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture002.jpg

We weren't in much of a hurry today - went straight to California Adventure. I have decided that starting out with the princess lunch saves me from standing in line at the princess fantasy fair (terrible huh!! :) ) Park was EMPTY despite being the last day of the Dance Team comptitions - Played in Bugs land for the little kids first - for some reason the Chew Chew train is always a favorite (go figure huh!!) http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture034.jpg

Afterward we went to the Carosel and then to our lunch. We sat outside, which I LOVE (the people seating us said that this isn't common but I love it outside - less hustle and bustle!) We were the only ones out there for most of our lunch so it was very peaceful! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture097.jpg It was a good lunch including $17 hotdogs for the kids :) but it's not about the food right!! We bought the $$$$ pictures of us with Ariel and my boy told all the princesses he was "nervous" to talk to them - it was SO CUTE! Baby bounces between so adorable and happy http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture088.jpg to just plain mean http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture090.jpg (this will be a reoccuring theme for the next five days - poor us!)

The crowd picked up after lunch - can't get the baby to nap - doesn't want to miss anything! SO MANY PEOPLE NOW! Headed over to disney to ride the train and try to get the baby to sleep - NOT HAVING IT! so we went to our favorite quiet spot in carnation plaza and he finally slept while the other kids and I wandered around and got ice cream - WHAT WAS I THINKING! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture148.jpg

Went to Jasmine and Aladin's story time and Ellie was THRILLED that she finally got picked after four years of trying - she was a mean guard and a very good actress I must say (no bias here!) Tiki room next - loved it as always - on a funny note there were some "first timers" there - I could tell, cause when everyone started swaying and singing they thought it was the funniest thing ever!

Checked in for Fantasmic Priority seating - got in line at 20 to 7 - first one in line - got the BEST SEATS! Then rode HM and Pirates and had dinner - then back to our seats for the show. I have to say the this was the BEST THING EVER! I will NEVER go back to sitting on the ground, fighting for space, getting my fingers stepped on for two hours again! It was heaven and VERY worth the money for me. Our CM was fantastic, very helpful and knowledgeable - she even found an "extra" seat for the baby so we didn't have to have him sit on a lap! So kind!! Stayed for the fireworks - nice view of just fireworks. Food box was WAY more than any of us could eat - between the five of us we probably ate one!

Another ride on pirates (our FAV ride) and then out to the hotel - on the way out we saw Mickey on mainstreet - DH didn't want to stop, but our baby has been SO excited for MONTHS to see Mickey Mouse - it's one of the ONLY things he will say so we stopped, and he ran RIGHT to Mickey - no fear at all - he hugged him and kissed him and gave him five, and waved goodbye when we left! Such a wonderful Disney moment (makes all that grouchyness worth it . . . I think! :) ) http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture281.jpg

Stay tuned for day 2 and 3 tomorrow . . . if you can stand to read anymore;)

This is an awesome trip report so far and i'm anxiously awaiting the rest of it! Did u feel that the fantasmic preferred seating was worth it? were planning on doing this in may and were just wondering about the desserts and beverages that are included with it.

I'm glad Ellie got picked! Makenna didn't get picked but thought she did (or that is what she told us) and went up on stage anyway. So she also played a mean guard (in a princess dress). They were really nice about it. Tommy fell in LOVE with Jasmine.

I agree about fantasmic. We will always do the seating. I was the mommy freaking out as my son walked up and down the stairs while we waited to pick our seats. Then ofcourse he threw up all over (made me so MAD, he has a gift of throwing up when he isn't getting his way.)

How do you buy the priority seating Fantasmic? I looked at DL website but didn't see anything. We've never seen it and eveyone always say how much they love it.

This is an awesome trip report so far and i'm anxiously awaiting the rest of it! Did u feel that the fantasmic preferred seating was worth it? were planning on doing this in may and were just wondering about the desserts and beverages that are included with it.

Thanks - I will get back to it later today - and YES YES YES it was SOOOOO worth it to me! I HATED sitting on the ground getting stepped on and pushed around so this was Fantastic Fantasmic for me!!! The dessert box had some cookies and maccaroons (sp?) and cheesecake and chocolate cake, and candy mickey spoon, and chocolate strawberry, and cheeses and crackers . . . WOW! It was really a lot of stuff! The kids liked it cause they could take a bite of something and if they didn't like it, they put it back and moved on to something else! The girl in our section brought us drinks when we got there, and again before the show, and again after the show, and again before we left after the fireworks! She was great! And when my DD asked for hot chocolate, she brought it NOT TO HOT, just like she asked - it was great!

I'm glad Ellie got picked! Makenna didn't get picked but thought she did (or that is what she told us) and went up on stage anyway. So she also played a mean guard (in a princess dress). They were really nice about it. Tommy fell in LOVE with Jasmine.

I agree about fantasmic. We will always do the seating. I was the mommy freaking out as my son walked up and down the stairs while we waited to pick our seats. Then ofcourse he threw up all over (made me so MAD, he has a gift of throwing up when he isn't getting his way.)

That totally cracks me up that our girls were the same thing at different shows! and that stuff about your boy throwing up - THAT IS EXACTLY MY SON! wierd huh! The baby did it THEN ENTIRE TRIP! I am dying over how funny that is that we have a kid with the same disgusting habit! ::confused:

How do you buy the priority seating Fantasmic? I looked at DL website but didn't see anything. We've never seen it and eveyone always say how much they love it.

I have a number in my planner of 714-781-4400 - I think this is the dining number and it will have an option to choose for fantasmic - if not, they will give you the real number and can transfer you!

ok so I just typed up a day and now it's gone!!! AHHHHHH - I hate technology sometimes, so here we go again - the first one was better, but I am too frustrated to do it that good again - :mad:

Day 2 - Got up late- to DCA about noon - man I must be getting old, I NEVER sleep in at Disneyland! Read a rumor (I wonder where ;)) about a soft opening of the Pixar Play Parade so I wanted to be here if it happened - Rode Monsters first and then visited the backlot, did Animations, played around downstairs, met woody outside . . . my rural cowboys were very excited to meet the Disney Cowboy http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture044.jpg - then we stood in line again for Mickey (this was the second time - NOT the last!) then sat down for the parade - it was HSM - that's an hour I'll never get back! (sorry HSM fans - I am just not into it) - Then we caught the new Playhouse Disney Show - great show, liked the new characters - they did bubbles and leafs and confetti from the ceiling - lots of dancing - very fun! Zach and Ellie were so adorable standing in line today - http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture074.jpg

Then Grizzly River - Ty missed the mark again by less than an inch (he's almost five but short for his age) he cried big crocodile tears that broke my heart because he wanted to ride so bad - I wanted to hurt someone!! :crying: Oh well - them's the rules so we moved on - let him ride soarin (his first time!!!) Three times to make up for it! Then my Disney Dream Came true! I wanted SOOOOO badly to see the Pixar Play Parade and we were going to miss official opening by ONE DAY! But we got to see it and it was Fantastic!!! We sat right in the front row, in front of the candy shop so we had a great view of the floats coming down the road - Loved the bubbles and the water feature (some people have said the water sprays were too hard, but I thought it was fine - and my camera didn't get wet at all so there wasn't that much water!) I have TONS of pics - here are a few - http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture118.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture135.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture145.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture164.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture204.jpg

Then over to DLR - rode the rides in Tomorrowland - Baby loves Buzz (everyone does) and we rode for the first of NINE times tonight - Baby watched the first time http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture236.jpg the he wanted the gun EVERY time and never let us touch it again! Hillarious http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture242.jpg

Then on to Toontown - I firmly believe that going to TT after dusk (7:30 tonight) is the best time ever. There is NEVER ANYONE THERE! So wonderful to just ride the rides as many times as we wanted . . . and of course . . . we saw Mickey . . .AGAIN . . . time number three!!!! :) I let Zach go first for some "alone" time with Mickey - wonderful moments! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture254.jpg

Stay tuned for more dreams come true . . .

Checked in for Fantasmic Priority seating - got in line at 20 to 7 - first one in line - got the BEST SEATS!


So, which seats are the "BEST" ones?! I've heard they are numbered, and the CMs will often supposedly tell you the numbers when you pick them. My mother and I will be there in July and have never seen Fantasmic. Neither one of us is tall, so we are hoping to get up front if possible! We plan to stay in our seats for the fireworks as well.

Enjoying your report! Keep it coming! :)

So, which seats are the "BEST" ones?! I've heard they are numbered, and the CMs will often supposedly tell you the numbers when you pick them. My mother and I will be there in July and have never seen Fantasmic. Neither one of us is tall, so we are hoping to get up front if possible! We plan to stay in our seats for the fireworks as well.

Enjoying your report! Keep it coming! :)

The CM just said - "I suppose you want the best seats right?" and I said YES! So she gave me one through four - center section - I think they give you the best available until their are gone, unless you want to sit somewhere specific - I think even the people behind us could see fine - there were only four rows deep of people - And the fireworks start like two minutes after so it's great! You can't see the castle projections, but you can see tink a little and the fireworks are actually centered from where you sit!

Sounds wonderful! Thank you!

When we were asked which I just said best available: she said front row center OK? :) The only problem with our seat is we were by a cement pillar and my husband couldn't really see anything that passed him. BUT that didn't phase him he still says it was the ABSOLUTE best thing in the world. We will Always do this seating!!!!! We must've been sitting accross the aisle from each other.

Those are great pics!

Zach and Ellie were so adorable standing in line today - http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture074.jpg

I LOVE this picture!!! Thanks for the great trip report!

When we were asked which I just said best available: she said front row center OK? :) The only problem with our seat is we were by a cement pillar and my husband couldn't really see anything that passed him. BUT that didn't phase him he still says it was the ABSOLUTE best thing in the world. We will Always do this seating!!!!! We must've been sitting accross the aisle from each other.

Those are great pics!

We must have been - directly to the right of us was the huge towers with lights and speakers - the people to the left of us (from what I can tell from pics - the man has a mustache and glasses and a dark ball cap - the woman also had glasses on at one point and not at another - they are the only people I can see in my pics!!

I LOVE this picture!!! Thanks for the great trip report!

Thanks - I took like 20 of those and they are so adorable - sometimes waiting in line and watching my kids interact with eachother is the best part of the trip! It's so nice when they are getting along and having fun together!

Is anyone getting sick of how long it is taking me to do this??? If it didn't take me a zillion years to upload photos it would be faster - sorry for the delay!

So Day three - I was EXHAUSTED already by day three - however, my feet did not hurt AT ALL! Wow - that's new! I think it must be my sandles, which I love and I think are about the most comfortable thing in the world!

I woke the family bright and early at 6:00 a.m.!! So rude to do on vacation! But today is our Magic Morning and we are using it this year! This was the first time we EVER did the early entry and it was SOOOOO Worth getting up early for! We left the hotel at 7:30 and were in line at the gate by 7:40 - line wasn't too long when we got there - we were about 10 or 15 people back was all. When the gate opened we went straight to Fantasyland, while the rest of the crowd headed for Nemo - this worked out GREAT for us as we accomplished every single fantasyland ride in under an hour! That was a fantasy!!! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture016.jpg You can tell from this pic that it's pretty deserted there! From now on, I vow to use my Magic Morning and save myself the hastle of standing in line for Peter Pan for an hour, followed by an hour for Dumby, Storybook land and Casey Jr. - :)

We were actually the FIRST people on Pan and then just went in a big circle with NO WAIT! HEAVEN!!!!!!!!

We stopped for a break for some fruit from the stand by Casey Jr. and then - as has become par for this trip . . .. Zach puked! Thrilling . . . so we cleaned it all up, changed his clothes, and I went to the bathroom to wash up . . . while there, I hear chatter about dream fastpasses, leave the bathroom, grab the family and there, on the walkway to Big Thunder Mt. is the dream squad! We got our passes and it was great! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture171.jpg With our new prize, we headed the back way to BTMRR to ride - Ty got to do it for the first time and loved it. Then Pooh and Splash - again Ty couldn't wait to go again, so we got fastpasses for later in the day. I hadn't been on splash in MANY years as I was always pregnant or it was closed when we were there, so I was excited to go again too. Then we made our first trip ever to Pirates Cove (or whatever it's called now!:)) The kids loved exploring the caves and playing there - they worked together to drain the boat http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture119.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture125.jpg and raise the pirate and his treasure and got to see Jack Sparrow (he wasn't nearly as good as the one we saw last year :crying:) http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture159.jpg Tyler showed him his pirate autograph book he and I made http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/IMG_1351.jpg and was very proud of it (ellies was tink) http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/IMG_1352.jpg - Then we had lunch in Blue Bayou - it was great for atmosphere - not so great for food - great for dessert (so two out of three made it worth it for me) next time, I think we will just go for dessert. At this point, Zach took his first nap of the trip, so Ellie and I rode Indy and then we all did space mtn. again in groups of two. Zach woke much happier http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture056.jpgWe did Autopia, and I rode with Ellie who drove and pretty much bounced her way down the course! I made a big deal of making jokes about her driving and we laughed the whole time! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture183.jpg Worth the wait just for the laughs. We used our Buzz and Roger Rabbit fastpasses and did Indy again for El and Dad and then splash again. Haunted Mansion (had to force el to keep her eyes open this time! Then back to the hotel for me to do some laundry (we have been gone from home for a week now) My only complaint about Tropicanna - three washers, two dryers???. Eric didn't want to waste our DCA fast passes, as there was still a couple hours left over there, so he hunted down a family and gave them away before we left so someone else could enjoy them.

We were on the other side of man and woman so I am guessing it was you over there :)

the only other person I can make out is a bald guy, white shirt, and someone in like maybe a greenish/brownish sweatshirt/jacket with a 6 or 8 on the front maybe??

My hubby is bald and was wearing a white shirt that day. :)

K sorry it took me so long- got busy in "real" life and couldn't live in my Disney Fantasy world for a few days!! :)

Back to the report -

Day four we got up early again - today was Mickeys Toon Town Morning Madness. We have never done this before because we have been Annual Passholders every other time we came to Disneyland - this year I SPECIFICALLY booked through WDTC so that we could go to TTMM and see how it was and if it was worth it.

We got to the gate about 15 min. prior to opening - there were quite a few people in line - by the time they opened, they were back past the compass in the middle walkways btwn DL and DCA - we went straight to Toon Town and waited in line there for about 10 minutes as we went through. Once in, the kids spotted Pluto in front of the little building with the fire truck in front, and we stopped for photos http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture007.jpg- as soon as we were coming away from Pluto, we were approached by a Disney CM - he visited with us for a minute and then told us we were the Toon Town Family of the Day!! Yeah! He told us to wait and they would call us up on stage - now, in my oppinion, it would have been nice to have seats reserved for the family of the day, but they did not, so we were quite a ways back -

They called us up and my DH introduced us to the crowd http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture025.jpg - we got some cheers from our fellow Utahn's!! :) Then Mickey handed DD our certifcate http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture019.jpg and the CM took us and took our pic by the fountain http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture040.jpg - it was fun! The kids were excited.

Then we did pics with goofy http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture041.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture049.jpg and donald before heading back out to the park.

We rode a few of our fav rides, then we rode the horse drawn wagon up mainstreet- baby Z LOVES horses and we have never taken the time to do this so it was fun - we climed on the Omnibus for our ride back http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture103.jpg - It was so great! What a lovely perspective on the park! I wanted to do it again so I could ride in the very front and take pics/film, but DH said we would come back later (and we never did of course - oh well, something to look forward to next time!)


We took our pics in front of the castle while we were here. It was so beautiful - the flowers were blooming on the trees and it was a perfect day http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture126.jpg - then got our Dole Whip and headed into the Tiki room - Ellie wanted to sit on the front row (WHY???) so we did -

We have never been able to catch Mary Poppins and Bert, so we headed over to Coke Corner for lunch and to listen to the FANTASTIC piano player there - Mary and Bert came and Bert sang http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture153.jpg - Zach was afraid of them (first time he was afraid of anything! Wierd how much he loves the characters in costume, but not the face characters!) Then on our way to head over to DCA, we saw Mickey again (what is this FOUR TIMES NOW!) and DH and Baby Z stood in line - it was the greatest!!! Zach was SOOOO impatient about waiting in the line while he could see Mickey, that he was SCREAMING and crying and throwing and ever lovin fit!!! When they finally got to the front, DH set him down and he went RUNNING to Mickey http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture164-1.jpgjust crying his eyes out!! Mickey put his arms around him and Zach just loved him and sobbed!! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture167.jpg It was the CUTEST thing EVER!! He just loves that Mickey Mouse so much!

Back in DCA we rode the JellyFish - finally got Zach to nap, so DH and I took turns taking each of the other kids on the ride several times - we met a lovely family from Northern California and visited with them for quite a while. After we used our priority seating to see Alladin http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture192.jpg - love that show http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture198.jpg - and played in the backlot for a bit - talking with crush, taking pics etc. Then we wandered over to ride soarin' again (of course! It's our favorite ride next to Pirates!) and then picked up popcorn and a spot on the cement for the Electrical Parade - zach threw up AGAIN (at least once EVERY day since we left home UGHHHHH!!!) and Eric took him back to the hotel rather than wait for the show to be over, so El and Ty and I watched the parade - I had to FIGHT to keep Ty awake and he whined the ENTIRE way back to the hotel about having to walk and how tired he was (poor little guy - he rode in the stroller every minute for FOUR days!)

Tomorrow is our last day - I was already so sad at the thought of leaving this place . . . I HATE the last day . . . so sad . . . :crying:

I was getting worried (and annoyed) because I clicked on every picture and saw cute little kids and daddy but no Mommy. :mad:

I finally found one so you're going to be spared my lecture. ;) You're welcome. Carry on.

Adrienne

AMAZING pictures from the alladin show! got any tips? :D

Your kids are adorable!!

AMAZING pictures from the alladin show! got any tips? :D

Turn off your flash - I set my camera to the manual mode and then set the ISO to 1600 and then adjusted my little dial (it's the Fstop I think?? :confused: I'm not very smart about terms) and then HOLD VERY STILL and take it and checked to see if it was too dark - then I just kept adjusting till I found the right setting - I would take a tripod or use the chair in front of you as a rest - I had my family sit in two rows so I could use my small sons chair as a rest - Good luck!

I was getting worried (and annoyed) because I clicked on every picture and saw cute little kids and daddy but no Mommy. :mad:


I finally found one so you're going to be spared my lecture. ;) You're welcome. Carry on.

Adrienne

LOL - I don't end up in many pics - I did do the photopass TONS so we have lots of me this trip on that!!


Your kids are adorable!!

Thank You!

Well here it is . . . the final day of reliving my Disney vacation :crying:

We slept in a little today - well, everyone but me. I had to get up and dry laundry, cause I found out that laundry will NOT dry in your hotel room overnight in the humidity of California (go figure!) We had done pretty much EVERYTHING at this point and wanted to do many of our favorites one last time. We know it will be 18 months before we return this time (so sad!) as we have a very pricey and long road trip planned for next summer, thus leaving the Disney budget at a big fat ZERO!

At this point we hadn't stood in ANY line for longer than 10 minutes - but we had yet to do Nemo, so DREADING the though to this line http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture007-1.jpg and the 45 minute posted wait time, we bit the bullet and jumped in line. It was ok, as it moved quickly and we were shaded - however - I had not idea I could take the stroller in line, and that would have been SO much better than fighting with Zach the entire time! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture024.jpg Ty got bored, but made the best of it http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture016-1.jpg and Ellie made a new friend in line so she visited the whole way through. http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture042.jpg I was a bit nervous, as a Chloserphobic (sp??) I didn't know how this would affect me, but I stayed calm and it wasn't to bad! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture048.jpg. We couldn't get Z to sit down, so he walked back and forth btwn DH and me the entire ride - But it was a fun ride and everyone enjoyed it, despite the wait. http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture051.jpg

Before Nemo we had collected Buzz fastpasses for ride number NINE of this trip - and after, DH went to get space passes while the kids played with the spinning globe - Then we rode the monorail. My kids had never done it and were very excited. We sat in the back and it was lovely. We rode to downtown Disney for lunch, then, after MUCH begging and pleading from Ellie, we went into Build a Bear. Now I have never been in one and WOW what a racket they have going on huh!! But my 6 yo was THRILLED and we decided to let her make a bear since she had been such a good help with the little boys on the trip. She was so cute wishing on the heart http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture087.jpg and then it took AN HOUR to pick the outfit she wanted!!! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture093.jpg until FINALLY Jasmine bear was finished and my baby was so happy it was worth it! http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture096.jpg

Then we headed back to Disneylandand rode Space again. Ty didn't like it so much this time, as he said the bar hurt his stomach - another trip on Buzz (make it 10 now!) and the another spin on Jungle cruise (the kids love it despite the terrible jokes :)) and of course Pirates (three in a row this time!!) http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture100a.jpg Zach threw up on DH during our third ride - not great, but at least he is consistent!! We saw the parade (I LOVE THE PARADE) and since last year I had made them watch it EVERY day, this was the only time we did it this year. I loved it as much as ever. While waiting for the parade I took the kids to my favorite place . . . the silloette shop (SP?? Sorry!) they are SO wonderful there! Fireworks were cancelled for wind - Zach was asleep - so I took the other kids to ride peter pan one last time before we left. Earlier in the evening, a wonderful man had given us a front of the line pass he wasn't going to use, so we went right to the exit and it was great! Tyler loves that ride! Then we stood in line for a last flight with Dumbo! I loved being up there and saying goodbye from the air! Then we came back past Snow Whites wishing well and we all made a wish (I bet you can't guess mine????). It was a WONDERFUL way to finish the trip and I think It will become a new tradition for us. There was no one else there but me and my kids and it was a really nice moment as Snow started singing while we were there. Magical . . . Ellie said it was the best moment EVER! It made my heart happy.

We snapped a few wonderful shots on our way out http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture165.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture168.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/partyoffive_01/Picture174.jpg and say goodbye for another year (plus some!:crying:)