We met our lovely contact at Downtown Disney because it's easiest for everyone (thanks again S&K). We were signed in at the Monorail but decided to walk to the main gates like we did last summer with Caleb; he's still way too anxious to ride it, even though Lilly Belle wanted to).
Moving on.
We headed straight to the castle because (and this is sad) every time I drive by Camelot on the 91 fwy, we pass the golf course that has a castle as one of the holes, and Lilly points and says "Disneyland!"
Noooooooo!
Okay I realize there are more incredibly pressing matters in the world than the fact that my two year old thinks Camelot is Disneyland, but I was NOT going to have her thinking that for another SECOND! So I showed her Sleeping Beauty's Castle! And she was very *meh* about it (ugh, two year olds).
On the walk up there, while passing the Matterhorn, Caleb had a bit of a meltdown. The same thing happened when we first entered Knott's Berry Farm the week before. I'm sure it was a combination of things, all exasperating his senses and having to readjust to his new surroundings. As soon as he got it out of his system he recovered pretty well and we marched on. It's funny to think now, being on this side of Autism, that what Caleb was going through probably looked like an epic, bratty, sugar-crashing-"I'mnotgettingmyway"-disneyland-tantrum. In all honesty it can be a bit awkward to have to deal with it in such a public place, but that's just how we roll now.
As soon as we were walking in the Small World queue, Caleb knew exactly what we were doing and got really excited to ride in the boat.
Lilly Belle really enjoyed it too. I think she was just taking everything in, the whole day she was so in awe of it all. And how sweet she was with her daddy.
After Small World we decided to head to Toontown. As we walked under the bridge Caleb said "I'm going to go to Mickey's House and I'm going to meet Mickey!" We hadn't decided that, we hadn't even suggested it, but we were so thrilled that he came up with it on his own and he was able to express it.
So that's where we headed.
And right at the end of the line, Caleb said he had to go potty.
Well kid, you're gonna have to hold it!
Lilly was so excited to see Mickey! She grinned and giggled and scrunched her shoulders up to her ears as she covered her mouth with her hands. It was so sweet.
Lilly and I played in a little playground while Tj took Caleb to go potty {he made it, phew!}.
As soon as we walked out of Toontown I saw a line of guests waiting to meet Merida from Brave and I was not going to pass up meeting her! She's Lilly's current favorite...she rides her rocking horse when Merida is riding Angus, drinks from the hose like Merida drinks from the waterfall, and whispers "a will of the whisp...they are real!"
The line wasn't too long, so Tj took Caleb on Small World again while Lilly and I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And when we finally got up to meet her, I realized why we had been waiting so long in a line that was seemingly short for meeting a Disney princess. She was spending a very good amount of time with every little girl who wanted to chat about bow & arrows, curly red hair, and being forced to get married against her will {okay maybe not that last one}. Her stature and mannerism were just like her character; less graceful than other princesses yet much more approachable in my opinion.
We walked up and were greeted with the sweetest smile and the best attempt at a Scottish accent. Lilly was instantly shy and buried her head in my chest. Merida quickly played peak-a-boo with her long red hair and Lilly gave her a HUGE smile. She waved and gave high-fives and we took a picture to remember it all. She was hands down the best Disney princess I'd ever met {but maybe my opinion is a little bit biased because I was with my Lilly Belle}.
We met up with daddy and Caleb and headed to California Adventure.
I have not been in that park since they remodeled it, and it is amazing. Really beautiful. It was a very smart move for them to re-do it like they did, and I wish I would've taken more pictures, but all Caleb wanted to see was Paradise Pier.
A while ago I showed Caleb a video of California Screamin' {the roller coaster}, and it's allllll he wants to watch/play/recreate. So naturally we went straight there.
"It says Paradise Pier, mom!!"
We stood there for a good thirty minutes watching each coaster take off and speed up that first hill.
Caleb counted down each time "5-4-3-2-1-SREEEEEEEAM!"
Tj took Lilly to ride King Triton's Carousel
And then, believe it or not, it was already lunch time.
Because we live so close, we decided to grab In-N-Out and head home for naps.
Such a good decision! Everyone was able to rest.
We went through Starbucks to refuel after naps.
On the way back up, an old Guest Relations friend of mine messaged me and offered VIP seating for Mickey and the Magical Map {the new stage show at the Fantasyland Theatre}. We were SOLD and SO excited to be able to do another thing together as a family {thanks again, C.C.}.
Just as Caleb is obsessed with California Screamin', Lilly is in love with the Monorail. There's no way we would've been able to get Caleb to ride it, but I was determined to take Lilly. Tj pushed Caleb in the stroller all the way through the main gates to the theatre while Lilly and I attempted to board the Monorail.
We were first in line and I asked to sit in the front with the driver. It was just us and the open Monorail track! She held on to me tight, was a little nervous and shuttered when the driver honked the horn, but was so in awe.
We made it to the Fantasyland Theatre just in time for the show. Our seats were cushioned, off to the side, and away from everyone...seriously like ten rows all for us! The show was great. It had lots of special affects, singing, dancing, and appearances by some of the best characters...including a beautiful rendition of At Last I See The Light by none other than Rapunzel and Flynn! I'm not even exaggerating when I say that I was crying. CRYING. It was so magical and I wouldn't have even thought to do it if it weren't for my old Guest Relations friend.
Tj took Lilly into Fantasyland to ride Dumbo while I took Caleb on Small World yet again {the third time for those of you who are counting}. We met up at The Sword in the Stone and decided it was time to grub.
We grabbed a turkey leg for Tj, chicken strips & fries for CC & LC, and fish & chips for me.
We ate out in this little courtyard area between Rancho del Zocalo and the Mark Twain.
The kids ran around, jumped, and sat for the best photo ever.
After that Caleb kept asking to watch the Paradise Pier at night-time, so we went back to California Adventure to close out the night.
We had thought about watching World of Color and then the fireworks, but by the time we went to the Animation Studios it was 8:15pm and Lilly was already asking to go home. I wanted to say "do you know where you are?!?!" But it wouldn't have made a difference; you go with what works for your kids, which is also what keeps you sane! It really helps when you can get in for free because there's no pressure to "get your money's worth", but even still in these short five years of being parents it hasn't been hard to realize that happy kids = happy parents.
And with that, we were home by 9:30.
Thanks again to the folks who made it happen.
We were truly blessed in every way.
*love you TJ
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