Southern California Family Vacation - Day 1: Disneyland

Let me just start by saying that Disneyland isn't my kind of fun, even family fun.  It's the same thing for me with Las Vegas; why would you want to see fake things when you can actually have an experience in a beautiful island of Greece, or climb the Eiffel tower, or visit Troy, all possible even with little kids.  I understand Disneyland is an American experience, and since we live in America, I thought I might as well see what this is all about.

As I was making this kind of observations to my kids inside the walls of Disneyland, while watching a very fun parade with characters from all of the books and movies that Disney has produced throughout the years, Gillian turned toward me and said: "Goodness, mom, enough with the complaints.  Just enjoy Disneyland for what it is - a magical place where imagination and fun are combined!" Well, that was that.  To be scolded by my own daughter at that.  I guess I had to change my attitude and enjoy Disneyland for what it was!

So, folks, that's what I'm going to do - share with you a few of the magical moments we experienced as a family - at Disneyland!

Magical Experience #1 - Parades

For a book worm like myself, seeing characters from books I grew up reading, and then in turn read to my kids, parading in front of my eyes, was a transcendent moment.  I felt like a little girl, back in my room devouring stories about Pinocchio, or Swiss Family Robinson, or Alice in Wonderland, and so many others.  Of course, these books were adapted by Disney into marvelous movies later, and brought to the masses through his very ingenious way of storytelling.

There were parades in every corner and at any moment of the day.  If you didn't see or meet Mickey or Goofy, no worries, there were plenty of opportunities to do just that.  My favorite parade was the Christmas parade in the end of the day.  Every character that you had seen throughout the day, every princess you had wanted to meet but mom told you it was a waste of time, and even a plump Santa with a sleigh full of toys, paraded in front of your eyes with music blasting from all sides and fairy snowflakes falling upon your heads.  Magical!

 

 

 

Magical Experience # 2 - A place for all ages
What made our experience great, was the fact that our kids were perfect age for this adventure, not too old and not too young, and they were all able to go in most of the rides. Oh, the rides were fantastic, and scary, and exhilarating - at least that's what Gillian and Jefferson kept saying as they went on every single terrifying roller-coasters they could find.  There were times when Elijah would accompany the older ones, and I would take the younger ones in various fun and less scary rides; other times we would switch, and he would take James and Charlton, and I would attempt to do some kind of ride that looked not too scary with the older kids.  I hate roller-coasters; the very fact that you have no control over your life scares me to death, plus I don't do well high up.  There were some rides that neither Elijah nor I wanted to even consider riding, so our two brave explorers would take off on their own, and Elijah would take James on another ride, and I would take Charlton to meet a character or two.  His favorites were Woody and Buzz; mine was Tinkerbell.  I loved it that everyone of us was able to find something that we each loved and could do.

 

Magical Experience #3 - Star Wars

You knew that was coming!  Of course with three boys who love anything Star wars, a daughter who thinks she is Princess Leah, brave and smart, and with a husband who grew up reading and watching Sci-fi movies with his family, it is no wonder this was their favorite and longest stop of the day.  We all decided to experience the flight simulator, and we all agreed that although the ride was a ton of fun, going through the "airport" and meeting all sorts of Star War characters on the way to our space ship, was awesome!

The next thing that made our family's Star War experience even more fun was the fact that both of our older boys were chosen to attend the Jedi Academy.  They both had a chance to fight against Darth Vader and Darth Maul, and their valor earned them high scores that placed them on top of their graduating class.

 The Sci- fi area of the resort was full of fun space rides, shooting aliens, and riding cool cars.  The kids had a blast!

Magical Experience #4 - The trimmings:  the glorious castles, the Christmas decorations, the festive mood, the perfect weather, the numerous details in each building, the bright colors, the fireworks.