DISNEYLAND

When we arrived at the airport, the kids all wanted to know how we were going to get to the hotel.  We told them that there was so much luggage and so many of us we would just have to wait until something big enough for us all to fit in came along.  They were a little disappointed when they saw all the little taxis passing us by.  Fortunately the adults knew what was coming from the park and wait.  :)

The kids went crazy when they saw this pull up.  I think it was everyone's first limo ride.

Our luggage barely fit but once we were inside, we cracked open the drinks, cranked up the stereo, and cruised in style.

As soon as we got to our hotel, we checked in, and headed out for Disneyland.  One week before we left for Disneyland, our neighbor Mason jumped off the 12th step in our house.  Fortunately he didn't break it but it was hurt pretty badly and the doctor didn't want him walking on it for four days straight in Disneyland.  So, that meant we had to get him a wheel chair off of KSL and push him around.  The bright side is that this made the lines super short!  So we hit a LOT of rides.  To Adi's dismay the group agreed that the first ride to go on should be "Buzz Lightyear," a favorite for almost everyone that would be ridden 7 times before the trip was over (and we only hit the Enchanted Tikki Room ONCE!).

                                                                                                

For some odd reason we also decided to push the kids on the first night and stay for the fireworks.  I found us the best spot and we even had chairs to sit on.  The kids said they were a bit cold but they figured out ways to keep warm.  (No wonder all of those lost boy scouts survive when they get lost- so resourceful.   I guess this is also why we have such a hard time finding them.

Unfortunately when the fireworks started we realized we had a great view of the trees, we couldn't hear the story that went with the fireworks, and we couldn't really see the castle light up either.  But, we were there and Dennis and Peter stayed late with the older kids another night and watched them again.

Day two was spent at California's Adventure.  Thanks to Dennis and Summer we were "motivated" to be up and inside the park waiting for them to remove the rope and allow us to race to Toy Story.   Here are a few of the rides we went on.

In California's Adventure, we were also able to see Lightning McQueen, Mater, and a High School Musical show.

We left the park for dinner at Denny's and then went back to Disneyland, after a few more rides, I stayed with Alora and Julia so that we could hit the Tea Cups. I don't think anyone else felt bad about missing them.

Day three was back at Disneyland where we let Porter and Abbey guide us around to the carousel and to Toon Town where we were finally able to meet Mickey Mouse!

At Mickey's house, Julia got her first kiss, the girls made a wish in Minnie's wishing well, and Porter and Brigham tried to steal Mickey's car.  Time to go!  We headed home for lunch and naps while the guys took the bigger kids swimming.

After swimming we decided we were all up for another round of rides.  But when the little ones were tired it was the guys This time it was the guys turn to sty late with the kids.  Summer and I took Porter, Martie, Kyra, and Abbie back to the hotel while the older kids went on a few of their favorites.  They were pretty exhausted before they were able to come back to the hotel.

Oh, and while she didn't get overly excited on any of the rides, Martie was there.  Here's the proof.

And the kids favorite rides, Porter loved the one with "da bad guys" (Pirates of the Caribbean) "da one with da dancin' goes" (It's a Small World) and "Winnie a Pooh"

Brigham loved the Matterhorn, Star Tours and Peter Pan while Julia loved Big Thunder Mtn. Railroad and Alice in Wonderland.  I also loved the Karaoke in Innoventions (a place I usually hate).

 

And when it was time to go home, EVERYONE was worn out.  Here are a few last shots of the plane ride home.

And who stayed awake on the flight home?

  You guessed it.

So that was our October trip to Disneyland with the neighbors.

 It couldn't have been better.

Final Stats:

Haunted Mansion 1          Pirates of the Caribbean 4          Big Thunder Mtn. Railroad 3

Splash Mountian 3            Whinnie the Pooh 4                   Tiki Room 1

Indianna Jones 2               Jungle Cruise 1                         Tarzan's Treehouse  1

Mickey's House 1             Minnie's House 1                      Roger Rabbit 1

Alice in Wonderland 2       Dumbo 1                                 It's A Small World 3

Carrousel 1                       Tea Cups 1                              Matterhorn 3

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride 1     Peter Pan's Flight 1                  Pinocchio's Journey 1

Sleeping Beauty 1              Snow White's Adventures 1     Astro Orbiter 1

Buzz Lightyear 7                Monorail 1                               Finding Nemo Submarine 1

Honey I Srunk Audience 1 Innoventions 1                         Space Mountain 5

Star Tours 3         

Toy Story 4                       Bug's Life 1                             Muppets 1

Monsters Inc. 1                 Mullholland Maddness 1          Tower of Terror 2

Soarin Over California 1    River Rapids 3                         Ferris Wheel 1

Screamin 1

For a GRAND TOTAL of 58 RIDES and ATTRACTIONS