Day 7 in CA - 7/16/10

Our very last day of vacation. :-( I woke up with a cold this morning too. :-( It was another hot and muggy day. :-( But, since it was our last day of vacation we were determined to have a great day!! :-) :-) :-)
We haven't been able to get to see Tigger and Pooh during their scheduled times out on previous days. We made a point to make it over to Tigger and Pooh Bear. The line was you saw Pooh and then went down the row and saw Tigger and then headed to the exit. Tigger and Pooh had just come back after eating hunny and bouncing (actually it was a person switch). Tigger did not have anyone with him so he squatted down and said hi to Samantha.We figured that Samantha was going to be a little shy when it came to the big 5 foot characters. We took her up and held her at the characters. As you could see in the previous posts she was not any too comfortable about them. When we were waiting in line for Tigger and Pooh, Samantha was standing in line. When Pooh saw that it was out turn he squatted down and Samantha went running.....straight into his arms. It was the cutest thing ever!!!
Samantha was SO excited to see Pooh. I guess all the times of watching "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" paid off.
After some loving and playing time we got a kids shot with Pooh.
Then we went down to Tigger. Samantha was so excited to show Tigger how she bounces. When she got up there, she got all shy with him.
As we were with Tigger, Brer Bear and Brer Fox came over and tried to steal some of Pooh's hunny.
Bumpa bought the kids some fun light-up, spinning toys for the kids. They had fun playing with them on our walk back to the hotel tonight. Thank you Bumpa!
It was a great 2 week vacation. Lots of fun with fun people at fun places. But, man am I glad to be home!

Day 6 in CA - 7/15/10

On our way into Disneyland this morning we noticed that Mickey was out in his classic outfit. So, of course, we had to make a side trip over to see him.In Toon Town the when a character is about to come out of City Hall a bunch of music starts playing. We happened to be sitting at a table right by City Hall when Goofy came out.
We were able to go inside of Mickey's house and play around. Marc even got to sit in Mickey's chair and act like the big cheese!
It was unbelievably hot today. Anaheim is normally about 84* and not humid. Anaheim decided to set a weather record. It was 93* and hot and humid! After some time in the hot & humid park we went to a little cafe across the street for lunch. We ate there last time we were at Disneyland so we decided that would be a good choice for lunch. WRONG!! Daddy Marc got, what we think was bad chicken in his pasta dish. Unfortunately he got food poisoning so we were stuck in the hotel for the rest of the night. :-(

Day 5 in CA - 7/14/10

Well, we have made it to day 3 of Disneyland! Daddy Marc wanted to be there at rope drop to see what kind of show they put on. We didn't make it there for the show, but we made it there for the rope drop. So we made a mad dash to The Toy Story Midway Mania ride. This ride is still somewhat newer and it does not have a Fastpass. The wait is usually about 45 minutes unless you are there right at open. This ride is a fun interactive ride where compete against the other person in your car by playing 3D midway games starring the Toy Story characters.I would like to introduce 2 of the newest Toy Story toys....
Since it was Daddy Marc's birthday we splurged and went to a character lunch called Goofy's Kitchen. If you have never been to a character meal before, the characters make the rounds and come to your table for interacting, photos, and autographs. Baloo greeted us when we went back to be seated.
The character meal we went to is one that serves breakfast and lunch food on the buffet all day. The pancakes are even shaped like Mickey!
The only place we got to see any Princesses was at our meal. They have become so popular that they have their our area with it's own wait time. At Samantha's age I couldn't justify standing in line for 45 minutes to see them. I think Samantha was kinda infatuated with Princess Aurora. Even when I am typing this Samantha is climbing on my lap saying "princess, princes, princess".
Chip came over to say Hi and play.

Chef Goofy took time out from cooking all the food to come and say Hi to us.
Peanut insisted on telling our waiter that it was Daddy's birthday. Our waiter brought over a cupcake with a candle for our birthday boy.
Dale came over too. It was weird to have the chipmunks separated.
For the first time ever in our Disney history, we got to see Mulan up close. She was beautiful!
Periodically all the kids would be called out to an area by the buffet to have a dance party with Goofy.
Pluto was there to tell us good-bye.
We even got to see Stitch.
Both kids were excited to see Handy Manny out.
Samantha even gave Handy Manny knuckles!
It was a fun birthday day for my hubby!

Day 4 in CA - 7/13/10

On our second day in Disneyland, based on the ticket we bought, we got to go in an hour before the park opened to everyone else. We went directly over to Fantasy Land. Our past experience has taught us that Fantasy Land fills up fast and ends up with long lines. So we went there first thing. The first ride of the day.....Dumbo!Marc using his muscles trying to get the sword out of the stone.
Then, of course, Samantha said "My toourn!".
Then fun for the whole family. Every one's gotta love the carousel!
One of Marc's favorite rides in Fantasy Land is the Spinning Tea Cups. The only person that will ever go on a spinning ride with him is Daddy......lucky Daddy! ;-)
Every ride we went on, no matter how bright and cheerful it was, Samantha went between being in awe and being a little scared. When we got to It's A Small World, she was ALL smiles!!
Our family at the entrance of California Adventure.
Being a Disney Visa cardholder, we were entitled to some one-on-one time with a character. Marc was happy to see Chip and Dale in the area waiting for us. Marc loves the way they play around with him.
Since we love Monsters, Inc we were excited to see that Sulley was out for photos.
While in a wilderness exploration play area the boys ran into the bears from Brother Bear, Kenai and Kodo.
We left the park for lunch and then headed back to the hotel for some resting time. I thought it was cute how both of my kiddos were cuddling with a Pooh Bear.
When we got back to the park we got there just in time for their new parade, "Celebrate in the Street". At different points throughout the parade route, the stop and encourage the kids to go out into the street and dance with them.
It was a very successful, fun day 2 in Disneyland.

Day 3 in CA - 7/12/10

Yay!! We made it to Disneyland!!!One of Marc's favorite rides in Disney World when he was younger was the Winnie the Pooh ride. So, we took Samantha on that for one of her first rides. She was a little unsure in the beginning, but when it was over she looked at us and asked for more.
Then of course we had to "steal" some of Pooh's Hunny.
Then we came across some of Marc's favorites. He was super excited to get to see Lightening and Mater!
The first character we saw was pilot Minnie Mouse. As you can see in the picture, Samantha wasn't too sure about her. She was really excited while we waited in line calling "Minnie, Minnie", but as soon as we got close to her, Samantha snuggled right n=down on my shoulder.
In all the times we have been to Disney parks I don't remember ever seeing Mr. Incredible out for pictures and autographs.
We watched a show called "Drawn to the Magic". It is a show about how when you use your imagination when you draw great things can happen. The three characters that starred in the show were Cinderella, Woody, and Sorcerer Mickey. Which one is Samantha so excited about seeing you might ask.....
Why, it was Mickey of course!!
After the show we got to go up and meet the characters.
Cinderella escaped before we were able to get over to her. :-(
I love these Mickey benches! So I had to take each kid's picture sitting on them at the end of our first day at Disneyland.
It was a GREAT first day! Weather was great, crowd size was great, wait time was great, and company was great!