Thursday, December 15, 2011

Where Memories Begin...

After Cody's farewell we loaded up in the car and headed to sunny Southern California. Due to alot of traffic we got there a little behind schedule, but not to bad. Sunday night we headed over to the park we rode a few rides, before the shows started. We watched the fireworks from the front of the castle this time and the kids loved the view. The favorite again was Tinkerbell flying through the sky. We also saw Fantasmic for the first time, Ellie was enthralled with it, but Cooper curled up on my lap and decide to take a nap. Afterwards me and Coop hung out as Ellie and Brady went to ride Big Thunder Railroad. Since Cooper was sleeping he and I headed back to the hotel, while Ellie and Brady stayed and rode more rides. I love staying across the street so that this is possible!!!!

The next few days we rode the rides, ate yummy food, and had a great time spending time together. Although we have been a few times this year, Cooper really enjoyed himself this time and was pretty vocal about the things he wanted to do. Ellie loved being the tour guide and helped us navigate the parks. This October was much busier than previous years, I guess their Halloween decor must be attracting more visitors. 
Ellie's favorites: Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mtn., the Matterhorn, Ariel's Under the Sea Adventure, Tarzan's TreeHouse, Roger Rabbits in ToonTown, and meeting the princesses.
Cooper's favorites: Watching the old Mickey Movies in the theater on Main Street, Ariel's Under the Sea Adventure, he probably rode this at least 12 times, the Island, Mickey's Roller Coaster in ToonTown, The rocketships, and Buzz Lightyear.
We were all disappointed to find out that Pirates would be closed the entire time we were there. Ellie kept saying we can try again tomorrow or maybe it will be open later. We also had a feeling about Small World being closed for the holiday prep, I wished we had ridden it Sunday night before it closed. He also saw a lot less characters wondering the park. 
There were a few first on this trip including Ellie becoming a thrill seeker. She rode Space Mountain once, it was a little to fast, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Railroad, Goofy's flight school, Jumping Jellyfish, Splash Mountain, and Tower of Scary, i mean Terror!!! She was really hoping to do Indiana Jones, but she was to short. We all rode the TeaCups together!!! I have been terrified after being so sick riding it a few years ago, but all turned out well!!! We also got to walk out of Monsters Inc. when the ride shutdown. Ellie loved it:)


We can't wait for our next trip once CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE's construction is finished and they open the new Cars land, with the Haycock crew for my parents 50th wedding anniversary next fall. Our kids both need to grow a few inches this year so Ellie can tackle the rollercoaster and Coop can ride some of the big rides too!!! 

1 comments:

Emily B said...

My parents 50th anniversary is next year, too, and I think we might end up going to Disneyland for it. We still haven't decided what we're going to do to celebrate. And yay for thrill-seeking Ellie! Rebecca still only wants to go on the kiddy rides.