We're back!

We just got back from our terrific vacation to Disneyland and we are glad to be home! It was a fun-filled week and here are the highlights...

We got to our hotel on Sunday afternoon and tried to check-in, we were a bit early so they told us to go ahead to the park and pick up our keys when we got back. The girls were so excited and we got some good video of us entering the park. It was incredibly busy due to three or four states, plus the local schools, being out for spring break. We went on Sunday specifically to see Fantasmic and the girls were blown away. They loved it. It was a good way to introduce them to the magic of Disneyland. We spent some time at Toontown and rode on several fun rides. As we were standing in line for "it's a small world," the Parade of Stars went right past us. We were up close and personal for all the major characters. Belle even blew Taylor a kiss. That night, when we got back to the hotel they told us that they upgraded us from a regular room to a suite, so that was great!

Monday, we hit the park with a vengeance. We figured out how to work the FASTpass system and we decided that it was a vast improvement over the 3-4 hour lines we experienced the last time we were there. We rode Splash Mountain (and got a terrific picture though Shaylie looks terrified), met Pooh, Eeyore and Tiger, and Shaylie fell in love with the spinning Teacups and Taylor the Matterhorn. I loved the Honey, I shrunk the audience show. Because of the crowds, both parks decided to stay open later until 10:00; somehow I think not everyone got the word though since after about 8:00 the crowds thinned out a lot and we got to walk on to several rides.

Tuesday, we spent the day at California Adventures. We visited the Paradise Pier, which actually turned out to be our least favorite part of the park, but Taylor and Scott rode the California Screamin' roller coaster and that was one of her top 3 rides. We also visited Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, a Bug's Land and the puddle park, and then took off a little early to go to the beach. We drove to Huntington Beach and we were shocked to drive out of what little sunshine there was into a totally gray day. The beach was pretty cold without any sunshine, but that didn't stop us. We all got into the water and Taylor and Scott braved some pretty big waves. Shay and I built sand castles and played with seagulls. We found some good shells too.

Wednesday, we went back to California Adventures and discovered some great rides that we missed the first time like Soaring over California, an awesome virtual flying ride. I could have ridden that one all day long. We took in some more shows, Aladdin, Muppets 3-D, and the Walt Disney story. Then we went back over to Disneyland and rode our favorites again, even Shaylie decided that she wanted to ride on Splash Mountain again, which surprised us all, and of course, the teacups.

Thursday was our last day and so we made sure to hit anything we had missed at both parks and our favorites again. We saw the Snow White stage show, and (after Scott had his Dramamine) Star Tours, Soaring over California, and the spinning teacups. Taylor had to hit the Matterhorn again and we all went on Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and the spinning teacups. We were ready to go, but the girls were very sad.

Friday, Taylor woke up crying since we had to go home. But we were all ready to go whether we knew it or not. We got packed and headed for home. The girls both got sick in the car on the way home, which was funny, since they both rode every ride ten times and never hinted at getting sick even once, but the car ride got them both. C'est la vie. It was a good trip and a fun vacation. We had so much fun that the first thing we did when we got home was to watch all our video and reminisce. Scott will be posting pictures soon, so check back and we will tell you all about the details when we see you.

It was a great, fun, family vacation!