Everyone has heard the saying “Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth” and after our recent trip, I have discovered that Disneyland with young children is a lot of other things as well. Here are some things about Disneyland that you won’t read on the cover of the brochure.
Disneyland is….
-crowds
-long lines
-aching feet
-shin splints
-reaching 10,000 steps on your Fitbit before noon
-sweating in places you didn’t know existed
-stopping for repeated sunscreen applications
-sunburns (for when you don’t)
-picking up and putting on your toddler’s hat over and over again as he rips it off his head and throws it on the ground again and again
-numerous diaper changes
-changing a diaper on benches in the middle of the crowded walkway before you realize its poop and it leaked everywhere
-smelling poopy diapers over and over again that you realize with horror don’t belong to your kids
-running to the bathroom at full speed hoping your child will make it in time
-constant snacks to keep your kids’ energy up and your toddler entertained
-feeding your normally organically fed toddler macaroni and processed “cheese” sauce for 3 straight meals because it is the only “toddler meal” offered in the park
-Spending $2.15 for a banana
-make shift meals using a garbage can as a table because there is no place nearby to sit down for dinner
-standing in line for 30 minutes for a famous “Dole Whip” or corn dog
– pushing a 200 pound stroller so you could have everything you ever might ever need at your fingertips
-wrestling your toddler back into said 200 pound stroller
-chasing your toddler around the park when you do let him out
-trying to stop your toddler from touching every garbage can, pole, fence, and rope in the entire park
-going through an entire bottle of hand sanitizer to prevent him from getting germs from around the world
-pulling your toddler off every climbable object in the park
-trying to explain to your toddler about photo bombs and taking turns when he runs (or climbs) in front of every other kid in line even though you are just saying it so the other adults know you aren’t a bad parent because he has no clue what you are talking about
-wrestling a screaming toddler away from an activity when his older brothers want to do something else
-returning souvenirs to the shelves over and over as your toddler examines each and every one when you try to grab a moment in one of the stores
BUT…Disneyland also is…
-watching your normally bickering sons bond over their excitement as they count down the days until the big trip
-getting the classic photo in front of the giant floral Mickey Mouse face at the entrance of the park
-feeling the same level excitement as your kid when he jumps up and down in excitement as he sees Mickey Mouse for the first time
-your heart bursting with joy as you watch your toddler experience the wonder of all things Disney for the first time
-witnessing the joy on your 5-years-old’s face as he goes on his first roller coaster
-watching your normally shy child go up in front of the crowd to fight Darth Vader in the Jedi Training Show
-grinning from ear to ear as your toddler joins in on the dancing and music of street musicians
-the feeling of satisfaction when you run past other people waiting in a 2 hour line because you have fast pass
-the luck of walking by a ride that is just re-opening right after a repair
-the privilege of getting to stay on a ride at night for another go because there is no one waiting
-getting just as excited as your kids when you find a cast member wearing a lanyard with pins to trade
–the first bite of the corn dog or Dole Whip that you waited so long for and realizing it was worth it
-the moment the parade finally starts after being camped out for 2 hours
-being amazed by Fantasmic even though you have seen it several times before
-making family memories that will last a lifetime
-realizing that despite it all, Disneyland is indeed “The Happiest Place on Earth”
shannon
I am so ecstatic to find you here! I had no idea you did a blog- it was fantastic on the Disney write up and you have confirmed that I will wait to go to Disney. My daughter is only 2 now so will definitely have years to go. As soon as I can figure out how to subscribe to a blog I will!!
So glad you found me! I was actually surprised at how much my toddler enjoyed all the Disney sights, but boy was it exhausting and very slow going with him! My 11 year old was a saint as we moved at a snail’s pace- well, it helped that he went back every night until closing to make up for it! ;) Whenever, you do go- enjoy watching the wonder on her face- so precious!!
Oh and did you figure out how to subscribe? Just put your email address in the email subscription box in the side bar. It should send you a confirmation email and then just an update whenever I get a new post up (my goal is once a week at the minimum, but already I have been falling behind! I blame summer. ;)
My litlte girl has been to litlte to ride on our 2 previous trips to Florida so we had promised a trip once she was tall enough.So we are of in July staying at the Arnold Palmer Golf coarse at Reunion so I may get a break myself!!
I love it! It’s so rare for us to get a break on a “vacation” with our kids! Enjoy!!