Disneyland...the Merriest Place on Earth!

Disneyland.  I love Disneyland.  I love the atmosphere, the shows, the rides, the treats.  Everything.  I love that we could go together as a family.  We have so many great memories there, memories that I know our family will have forever.  We love Disneyland at Christmas time.  It is even more magical with the lights, trees, decorations, and ride changes.  We got there early each morning, and actually walked on to most rides until early afternoon.  Especially Splash Mountain.  Seems like those silly locals think 60 degrees is freezing and didn't want to get wet.  There were times when there were 0 people in line so we stayed in the log and went again:)  We even got Trevor to ride.  Small Miracle! We got to canoe and explore the island, visit Pooh, Tigger, and Yellow Rabbit.  We savored Pirates and Haunted Mansion, rode Indiana Jones, laughed at the "hilarious" jokes on the Jungle Cruise, and climbed the tree house (okay, some of us climbed the tree house).  We LOVED watching Billy Hill and the Hillbillies and enjoyed reindeer games with Mrs. Claus.  We met the Three Caballeros and enjoyed Three Kings Day, petted the animals, met Jesse and Woody, reindeer Pluto, and the Bear Jamboree bears, and took on Big Thunder Mountain (okay, some of us took on the mountain).  We left our mark on ToonTown, got to see Mickey and Minnie, rode the train around the park.  Fantasyland rides were enjoyed over and over, and we sang along during Small World Holiday.  (Have you ever noticed that Small World is totally a spiritual experience?  You ride through all the lands - there's laughter and fear, wishing for peace, making friends, loving one another and then you get to the end and everyone is mixed together, dressed in white.  Everyone.  I seriously get teary eyed when I ride.)  Tea cups were spun and we hung out with Alice and the Mad Hatter.  Tomorrow Land was conquered, (along with Zurg), Innoventions helped the gaming withdrawls, and Space Mountain was enjoyed.  Fireworks and Fantasmic are always a must, as are the churros we eat whilst watching them.  So many rides, so little time. 

California Adventure

I think California Adventure has some of the best rides and entertainment.  Soarin' and Screamin', Tower of Terror, Grizzly River Run, Toy Story Mania, the Aladdin show...all our favorites.  Of course, the frozen lemonade and sour dough bread can't be missed, either!  We only spent one day there, but we packed it all in.  Cars Land was pretty cool, especially at night all lit up.  It was by far the busiest place of the entire trip.  The kids burned off some energy in the Redwood Challenge Trail.  We lucked out that Kyall was 40 inches (and only with her rubberbands did she make it).  We all got to fly over California.  The rides we didn't think she'd enjoy were "luckily" the rides that Trevor and Ben refuse to ride.  They got a lot of kiddie rides in while we were enjoying the "thrill" rides.  Of course, Heimlich is a favorite:) 

New Year's Eve at Disneyland...along with 71,991 other people!

Waiting for 2013

New Year's Eve at Disneyland was totally insane...and totally worth it (once)!  The morning wasn't bad at all...we walked on to most rides.  We didn't really feel the crowds until late afternoon.  Unfortunately, Ben got sick and the little girls were never going to make it, so Wade took them back to the hotel.  The rest of us stayed to ring in 2013.  Of course, with the park maxed out at 72,000 people, the ride lines were long so we headed to Innoventions.  Trevor's favorite place EVER!  After a couple hours upstairs playing games, we discovered the "Michael Jackson Experience."  Best. Entertainment. Ever.  Seriously.  We spent forever there.  Let it be known to all the world that Tucker is the ultimate champ! After Innoventions closed, we made our way to Main Street, parading right in front of the Castle/stage and smiling for the tv cameras.  There was not a square inch available until we were almost to the train station.  We found a spot and played Disney Headbanz without the headbands.  Best waiting ever.  We also restarted the wave of tens of thousands of people.  Everyone around us was saying "that's so cool!"  Yes, we are trend wave setters.  The countdown on Main Street, USA was a once in a lifetime experience.  So cool, yet don't think we are insane enough to do it again.