California Part Two: Disneyland

I'm back!  I am up to my eyeballs in pictures to post from the rest of our July adventures.  My goal is to have all of it completed by the time I go back to school...Thursday.


We decided for the second part of our California trip that since we were so close to Disneyland and Niles and I both love Disney we should go.  Carter knows some Disney.  He knows Mickey Mouse, Cars, but most of all Winnie the Pooh.  He has read those books since he was little little and it is the only movie he will sit through from start to finish. At Christmas he was passed down a Winnie the Pooh book that was his Grandma Clee's when she was a little girl. 

We went to Downtown Disney and ate at the Rainforest Cafe the night before we went to Disneyland.  Not great overpriced food, but cool atmosphere that I thought he would like.

They give kids these cute frog hats, but no chance of Carter keeping that on his head

His favorite was the fish tanks

Next morning we woke up bright and early for Disneyland!  Best idea ever was to get there right when it opened.  We were able to walk right up to several rides and either get right on or a very short wait.  It was great.

Sleeping Beauty's castle

Very cool that is was built in 1955!

 Rocket Ships

 Buzz Lightyear Ride

We had to wait in some lines, but really not more than 15 min for any ride.  Here we are waiting for Finding Nemo.  This was a ride where we had a small potty incident.  Watch as Carter's shorts change throughout the day:)

 Down in the submarine, doesn't he look like he is loving it

Next Up, Mickey Mouse!!!

On the way to meet him you got to play around in his house

 Kisses for Mickey

Mickey is in Toon Town.  It was a perfect toddler area.  He could do everything here.

First roller coaster ride.  He loved it and we rode it over and over:) 

Busting out of Jail, very strong 2 year old

Getting around in Goofy's Car

 Tea Cups

 Virgin Mint Juleps

Watching the Parade which Carter didn't like very much?

 And the favorite of the day....

Tigger was really cute with him.  Kept playing peekaboo games.  He loved it.

 Ashley's favorite:)

 The only princess I got to see:(  Going with boys on a tight time table, meant no princess time.  I did make them ride the Ariel ride with me.  Carter kept shouting Nemo:)  I am happy that it was a princess that I have not seen on a previous trip. 

 Next we headed over to the other park.  We really wanted to see Carsland.  It did not disappoint. 

Mater tractor ride

These were real cars.  They even talked.  Carter tickled Mater and he started giggling.  They did a good job making them real.

 Giving Mater a hug

 Carter was more interested in the water fountain

 

They even light it up at night for Miss Sally!

 Best ferris wheel ever!  You could pick a swinging compartment or a still one.  We picked swinging and when you would get at a certain point it would start swinging like crazy.  Very fun. 

 This was the worst ride of the day.  It took forever!  We were like 2nd in line, but the guy had to go through and put these ridiculous seat belts on everyone, including adults.  Totally not worth the wait.

 We started at 8 left at midnight.  No nap.This kid was a trooper.

Our last day we had a late flight.  We meet my friend who moved last year to teach over seas in Jordan and Niles's Elementary-HS friend Doug and his girlfriend Meredith at the Santa Monica Pier.  It was a very cool place.  I got really sunburned!

 Carter loves seeing Hailee and Charlee

 On the way to the airport and ready to go home!