Disneyland: It's A Small World (kids love it; we go on it four times), Alice in Wonderland ("I hate this! It's too dark!"), Tikki Room (we run out when the rain storm hits), Tarzan Treehouse (mom misses the Swiss Family Robinson version!) and Steamboat Cruise/Tom Sawyer Island (my kids would have gone on this four times if I let them).
California Adventure: Muppets Show 3D (children love it until the cannon comes out at the end), Mission Tortilla Factory Tour (we take the tour twice--free tortillas!), Bug's Life (we last three minutes).
Disney Playhouse show with the Little Einsteins and Handy Manny (kids go nuts for this; cynical mom thinks it's one big commercial for the Disney Channel). Quotes of the day.
My 4-year-old son says, "I love Mickey Mouse! I love Mickey Mouse! When I grow up I want to be Mickey Mouse!" My 6-year-old daughter says, "Mommy I don't think that was really Mickey Mouse.
I think it was someone dressed up in a costume. But I think it would have been mean if I said, 'You're not really Mickey Mouse.' I sort of think these costume people are weird. But I think they just want to make kids happy."
An aside: Does anyone else find the costumed characters creepy? My daughter was freaked out by them and I couldn't help but wonder, Who are these people dancing around in costumes? You have no clue who is inside that Goofy suit.
High point of the day: Our first ride is It's A Small World, which was re-opened a month ago after a major refresh. The kids love it! They're smiling. They're happy. They're singing. I'm transported to my childhood. This was also my first Disneyland ride. Low point of the day: It's A Small World is one of the few rides in the park that doesn't scare my kids. We end up going on it four times. I fear the song will forever be running through my head.
Expenses- $94 one adult park hopper ticket $168 two child park hopper tickets (Ouch! It's pricey) $13.25 breakfast, Riverbelle Terrace, one order pancakes and eggs to split between the three of us, orange juice $7.25 snack, Main St. Fruit Cart, fruit salad and two orange juices.
$17.38 lunch, Cucamonga Cocina, one child's burrito to split between kids and chicken tacos for mom
$3 cotton candy $21 dinner, Pizza Port, three slices pizza $28 souvenirs, stuffed Marie cat from Aristocrats, Star Wars figurines.
(Thank you grandma for giving kids money to pay for these!) $99 hotel, Anaheim Inn Total expenses: $450.88. Thoughts on expenses: Disneyland is pricey! We carried in our own water and snacks to bring down the cost. Many theme parks don't allow you to carry in food, but Disney does. We also split some of our meals.