Disney Dreams '11

We Went to Disneyland beginning on March using our income tax return. The Fuller's were going and it was sort of a last minute decision to go. Since we aren't sure where we are gonna end up next fall and will be poor college students, we decided to take advantage of it being in driving distance and go. I think at the ages my kids are it's so fun and magical to them and makes it so fun to go.

We headed out at 3am in the morning figuring we could get a chunk of the driving done while the kids slept, then get in in the early afternoon to be able to do some stuff. Dawson slept well but it was hard on Emerson. She couldn't get comfy and just would cry on and off and was done by the end of the drive. Once we were there and out of the car she was happy though. The best part was we left here and it was cold and we got in California we had 75 degree weather. It was a.maz.ing. We checked in them went to our room where the kiddos had a special gift on the bed....pj's with a note! Dawson got Lightening McQueen jammies and his letter was from Lightening McQueen himself welcoming him and wishing him a fun time at Disney. Em got princess jammies and a letter from Belle with the same sentiments. They loved it and thought it was pretty cool. We unpacked and with a rush of excitement had energy to go shopping downtown and out to dinner at Rainforest Cafe. We always hit up the big store there for our shopping. Dawson got his pirate sword he wanted, a Buzz astro blaster, goofy, and a couple little things here and there. Emerson got a Minnie and Mickey stuffed dolls, pettiskirt, and a few other little things. After we shopped we ate and the kids loved Rainforest Cafe, we got to sit right by the elephants. As we were walking back, they had a jazz band playing and a bunch of kids dancing and Dawson jumped right in and got his groove on! Afterwards we went back to the hotel to crash for the night so we could get a good nights rest before the next day of fun!






Our first full day there we went to Disneyland. For some reason we always go left and into Adventureland first, and ride the Jungle Cruise. Of course the kids loved that one, especially Dawson with all the animals. After we took turns hitting up Indiana, then we all went on Pirates. I think that's what scarred Emerson for the rest of the trip because she did not like it and after that she did not like any ride. She didn't mind It's a Small World but thats a slow boat. Every other ride when we got in line and got closer to the ride she would point to the outside and say go, go and cuddle up to us and whimper. Then when we got on a ride she "took the position" as we dubbed it and would curl up right next to us with her head down on our lap. It was sad but kinda cute too. Dawson of course was like what's next lets ride another ride and wanted to go none stop. When there was a ride he was too short for he hated to wait. Pretty much that day was spent riding rides and seeing some characters along the way.







Day two we started the day with the character breakfast. It's a little pricey but I love doing it with the kids because they get to see so many characters and it's so fun for them. Plus it's a yummy big breakfast!! Emerson loved the characters but if they got too close she wasn't a big fan. Dale started joking with her and went in to give her a kiss on her head and after that she would NOT look at him!! Dale was a hoot though and was flirting with Lisa big time...He was yawning and putting his arm around her, stroking her hair, and giving her big fat kisses on the head. Too funny. Of course when Miss Minnie Mouse came out though Miss Emerson could not get enough of her. She LOVED her....hugged her, kissed her, touched her, showed her her food, everything. I guess the girl knows what she likes! Dawson just loved it all. After that we headed to California Adventure, did the rides, watched the Monsters Inc street show, and Dawson participated in the Toy Story soldiers street show. Very cute. We ended the night with the World of Colors show which was awesome. So magical and I loved watching Dawson's and Emerson's faces!







Day three we were back at Disneyland. The lines were so short our first couple days we spent the last day doing our favorite rides over and over. Dawson could of rode Buzz Lightyear a million times if we let him!! One of the highlights of the trip for me and Lisa was when we got our picture taken with Mark Ballas from Dancing with the Stars! Lis saw him in a store by Space Mountain and ran to me yelling so we went back and asked for a picture with him. I told him I would vote for him during the season (he was with his partner Chelsea there) and I kept my promise. He was looking at Captian Eo shirts there so when he wore it during practices on the show it made me and Lis smile cause we were there when he got it ;) Anyways, that night we saw the fireworks show (awesome!!) and then scooted over to watch Fantasmic, my favorite show there! After three long days and a late last night, we called it good and headed home to the hotel exhausted (but sad to go too!) Even Mr. Dawson who has non stop energy crashed in the stroller on the walk back to the hotel.





Sadly the next day we packed up and headed home. We are already to go back, and Dawson asks everyday when we are. It's just so fun with little kids and brings so much more magic into the trip!! I think we are maybe gonna have to go again in the near future!

PS On our way home we decided to stay the night in St. George to break up the trip. We last minute booked a place without knowing anything about it but figuring hey, St. George isn't ghetto. Well we pulled up to the one ghetto place there, get our room in the BACK next to bushes, garbage cans, and an ally. I felt totally unsafe so we for $25 canceled and booked at another hotel. When we pulled up it was like a dream compared to the first place!! It was an adventure to say the least!!