Although our family lives closer to Disneyland than to most of the parks we frequent, yesterday was the first time that Donald and I took Charlotte. We told her that there was a castle! And a giant carousel! And teacups so large she could sit in them! And a mouse’s house! And FLYING ELEPHANTS!
She had no idea what we were talking about. (CASTLE? PSSSSH. “There is a castle in my book, Momma.“) I can’t imagine that any child has ever been less enthused about Disneyland, that happiest of places, land of the $1.79 banana.
To date, Charlotte has only seen a handful of films at all. Barring “The Princess and the Frog,“ she hasn’t seen any of the Disney princess movies. She hasn’t seen any of the Looney Tunes. She doesn’t know who Tarzan or the Madhatter or Mr. Toad or Pinnochio are. Her only frame of reference for Winnie the Pooh are those ridiculous thirty-five-page-long stories that I basically refuse to read on the grounds that they use up my entire daily quota of words in forty minutes.
I was worried that she wouldn’t enjoy the rides because she couldn’t understand them. RIDICULOUS concern, for what it’s worth. The kid could have cared less. I don’t know why I forgot this but to small children, Disneyland is magic NO MATTER WHAT.
You can’t tell, but the horrified look on her face in the roller coast picture is priceless. You can see it a little better here. (I am SO PROUD of her for keeping it together until the ride was over.)
Yesterday was a pretty rough day weather-wise. It was cold. It drizzled off and on and then poured down in sheets, causing several people to text message us concerned that we were still out in such poor weather. The wind blew our umbrella inside out.
FOR THE RECORD…rough weather turns out to be the PERFECT time to go to Disneyland. I am totally and completely sold on only visiting Disneyland on rainy days. The more it rained, the more people emptied out of the park. We eventually left when Charlotte started shivering uncontrollably (“but I am NOT COLD! I just want to ride the ladybugs again!”) (not cold, my ass), but the rest of the day was awesome. We knew about the rain ahead of time so we packed extra clothes and rain boots for puddle-stomping and Charlotte really had a blast. I don’t think that we will ever have a Disney-enthusiasm problem again.
At the end of the day, we zipped her inside of Donald’s jacket for warmth and he carried her back to the car. She fell asleep and it was the sweetest thing in the world.
How did you spend this weekend?
** Charlotte is two years and eight months old.
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Wow. JUST last night I talked to my mil on the phone and surprisingly, was encouraged to grab about 4 grand to take our family to Disneyworld as soon as we could. It would be hard to part with the money, she said, but sometimes you just have to do that sort of thing for the sake of experience. Our oldest is turning 12 this summer and she’s rightly concerned that if we wait much longer (originally we were thinking when Scarlett was old enough to enjoy it too) that it won’t be “magic” for her anymore.
Growing up I was THE only kid I knew who had never been. Eventually I flew down with a boyfriend once. It was cool, but definitely not magic. Going with my kids though?? I can’t even IMAGINE. Suddenly, it’s all I have on the brain. Mary and Matt are both fearless when it comes to rides, and Matthew is into castle on a psychotic level right now, lol.
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This weekend was Hunger games for the older kids and I and the Lorax for our Charlotte and Daddy and lots and lots of gardening!
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How Fun! I’m so glad that you all enjoyed it - isn’t it so fun to watch the wonder in their eyes! We took Maggie before we left (we felt that we HAD to since we were moving away from Disneyland and we had never been before). I think Maggie was too young to really enjoy it, but she loved the castle (and the ice cream!) and the winnie-the-pooh ride, which of now she’s obsessed with. :) Glad you had fun!!
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How fun! I found it really neat how Charlotte enjoyed it even though she hasn’t seen any Disney movies or books! I’ve been to Disneyland couple of years ago with my mom and it Was magical. Now I’m waiting until Danya is old enough to soak it all in before we go next time.
This weekend my brother came over to visit us and tell us about his adventures in Florida, where he was training (kayaking) for the last two weeks in Tampa. And on Sunday me and Danya went to church downtown after which we walked around through Korea town and went to the best vegetarian restaurant in Toronto! It was all fun with exception of a teething whining baby, but watchagonnado?
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Hi Sarah. You know that your husband loved the rides and the scarier the better. He wasn’t that much older than Charlotte when he rode Space Mountain. I couldn’t believe how relaxed he was on the one coaster that I took him. Do you think that she is going to be like him?
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Carolee - I don’t think so. Donald and Lan took the kids on the roller coaster in Toon Town and Charlotte HATED it. She was all about the Winnie the Pooh ride, the carousel, the Casey Jr. train, Small World, and Dumbo. She wasn’t even that thrilled about the jungle cruise on the grounds that people hiding in the bushes “looked mean.“
Alicia S - Wow, when you put it in terms of $4,000, I have to admit that I’d have trouble with it too. Donald won tickets at work, which is the only reason we bit the bullet and went. It cost us a little under $40 total, and only that because we forgot to bring food with us. I don’t know what I would do in your shoes.
Jessica - Did you like The Lorax?
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Well, I went to the Hunger Games with my step-sons so I didn’t see The Lorax and my husband fell asleep during the movie (good job, Daddy). Our Charlotte seemed to like it. This was her synopsis, “Lorax say NO! (something, something something) animals come back! (big grin)“
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We went to Disneyland, about 4 weeks ago. My son had a blast, but the only ride he wanted to ride again was buzz light year. He was TERRIFIED of about every other ride. He looked exactly like Charlotte clinging to my arms and trying hold it together until we got off the ride. We would ask him if he wanted to go again, and he would yell “NOOO, I want to shoot targets on buzz again!“ (my husband tried to tell him that we shoot the bad guys on buzz and he told us “WE. DO. NOT. SHOOT. BAD GUYS. We shoot only targets!“)
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I’m looking forward to taking our daughter one day. It will definitely have to be budgeted and planned for since we live in Texas. Love the pictures! So glad to hear Charlotte enjoyed it.
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I saw the lorazepam and thought it was great. Of the kids movies I’ve seen in the last 2.5 years, it was one of my favorite. I’m pretty sure there was one part in particular that stood out as a bit much for a 2.5 year old, but it wouldn’t be enough to keep me away… It is my favorite children’s book after all.
And I mean, I guess Jude liked it… Lol
And Alicia S - you can do Disney for much less, ask me for pointers… I have a great hotel recommendation too.
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I’m glad you all had a good time! Harper hasn’t seen many of the movies, either, but she was absolutely enthralled with everything there. She loved the teacup ride and Dumbo the most. I’m assuming you didn’t get to see the fireworks. Harper was freaked out by the voices, but to this day she talks about the fireworks and how they went “boom boom boom up in the skies!“ So cute I tell you!
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Alicia - That would be great, thanks! (E-mail me when you get a chance.) When she first mentioned 4k, I immediately thought: ‘with my penny-pinching husband… we’d find ways to do it cheaper.’ (My husband is notorious for being THE tightest person when it comes to money.) But with a family of five, roundtrip airfare, hotel, food, etc. it’ll be huge. Actually, it doesn’t make sense to take Scarlett at this age, which is even tougher on me. It means leaving her for a good 4-5 days, making those memories without her, and then probably having to go back WITH her in a few years.
My mil said that she really feels like if we can’t swing it than she’s going to take her—it’s that important. But that she shouldn’t be going with her grandmom. She should be making those memories with us. Putting it that way, I really would feel like we were missing out on a great bonding opportunity. As it is Mary travels a lot with her mom-mom. (Overnight beach trips, annual family reunions in NC.) I love that they’re close and I don’t mind that kind of thing at all, but I agree that her trip to Disneyworld should be with us.
By on March 26, 2012
Swoon. We have to plan entire family vacations to get to Disneyworld (never been to -land). My husband (ok, and I) are totally hooked. Likewise my son doesn’t watch TV, but totally loves the place. We have a picture of us with Mickey and whenever he sees it he asks to go back. Sounds like Charolette enjoyed herself! Disney really is such a magically fun place.