A Date with Disney
At Caleb’s grandmama and grandpapa’s request (my parents), we recently took a family trip to Southern CA to introduce Caleb to Mickey and Disneyland. It was a trip of many trips planned out the day Caleb was born. Take that back. The day Caleb was conceived.
When you bring a two-year old to Disneyland, several thoughts enter your mind.
Will he fall sleep before we get to the gate?
How will he behave while he waits in long lines?
Will he enjoy the rides?
Will he throw a fit when we tell him the ride’s done and it’s time to go?
Will the characters scare the living daylights out of him when he sees a life-size Mickey Mouse?
And last and most importantly, will he even remember the day???
We made our way to the park on Monday, October 4.
The weather was anything but nice. Overcast and drizzled. Most of the ride seats were wet. And if anyone tells you Mondays are not crowded especially when it’s raining, they’re lying. Massive lines everywhere. Thank goodness for the Fast Pass, Disney’s greatest invention, and oh yeah, the nice folks on Ebay who buy their tickets in bulk and sell them to you at super discounted prices. Saved $200 on four tickets. $101/ticket for a theme park? Really, Mickey?
We headed to Fantasyland first where the kid-friendly rides are located and took Caleb on the carousel, Pinnochio, and Dumbo (he loved that one). Here’s us flying Dumbo.
Air Dumbo
Then it happened in the Storybook line. Complete konk out and memory #2.
Storybook what?
Caleb was out for a couple hours even though we tickled him and called his name to get up. Nothing worked. Good for me and Sean who then ventured to the big kid rides at California Adventure, including the Twilight Terror Zone which will seriously make you squirm in your seat as you dangle high above the park, while my parents grabbed coffee and people watched.
Next up, lunch where Caleb finally opened his eyes and made his way back to the party. He was up, energized and ready for more. He went on about 12 more rides ranging from the tea cups to bumper cars, flyers, train ride, It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters. He also made it through Mickey Mouse’s Playhouse Adventure Show and snapped photos with Minnie and Pluto when he finally decided it was about that time again and you guessed it, fell asleep while waiting in line for Finding Nemo’s Submarine Voyage.
Spinning out of control on an It's a Bug's Life ride
Meeting Minnie
No real fits on any rides except when the gate closed in front of him on the Rockets in Tomorrowland and he had to wait another 2 minutes and 32 seconds for the next go-round.
While he drifted off to sleep on Grandmama’s shoulder on the bus ride back to the car, I asked him if he had fun on his first date to Disneyland. I didn’t think he’d answer me since his eyes were already closed shut, but he nodded yes and fell into a deep sleep.
Asked him the next morning if he had fun just to see if he memories had already faded, and again it was a resounding, “Yes, Mama,” as he started to name things he did including going up and nown (down for Caleb) on the rides.
So, I bet you’re asking if it was worth it. Should we have waited until he was a little older? Would I recommend bringing a 2-year old to Disneyland? Absolutely. I say bring ‘em. Kiddos are free until 3 saving you quite the bundle, and even if they fall asleep halfway through the park, you’ll still have those memories to capture on camera just like these ones we have and a whole heck of a lot more.
Enjoy your trip to the happiest place on Earth!
