Last summer we took the Dudes to Disneyland.
That’s right, LAND.
Not WORLD.
As native Californians who grew up in the Land of Disney, we decided to introduce the Dudes to the happiest place on earth: the West Coast version.
And also we had to visit the in-laws.
And also I had to go to BlogHer.
As someone who has been more times than I can count on two hands, I know how to have fun at Disneyland.
But, this summer is not a Disney summer (we really can’t afford another Disney summer for a couple of summers, or five, actually).
This summer is looking like a convince-Mimi-and-Papa-to-take-you-camping-summer-so-we-can-save-up-for-a-Disney-summer-in-the-future summer.
And a we’re-buying-a-new-car-so-heck-no-we-aren’t-going-on-vacation-unless-you-count-the-park-one-city-over-as-vacation summer.
But we’re planning.
And hoping.
And saving.
Because we would like to one day take The Dudes to the World of Disney, or maybe on the Cruise of Disney before they reach the teen years of this-is-so-totally-lame-I-hate-your-family-vacation-summers period that I imagine we will go through.
But maybe you are planning your very first trip to Disneyland?!
And maybe you also have a toddler who still naps, and a 6 year old who loves roller coasters, and a 10 year old who barfs easy?
This, friends, is for you…
Dumb Mom’s Guide to Disneyland: How to Have Fun with Dudes at Disney Even if One of Them is a Toddler, One of them is Too Short to Ride Awesome Stuff, and One of Them Barfs On Command
1. Plan to stay. Disneyland is expensive. Like a mofo. So, I know how hard it is to also get a hotel and worry about food and parking and everything. But. Because it’s so expensive it is one of those trips you want to make memorable. And not because your kids remember being dragged though the place. You want to be able to really enjoy it. Languish in that pirate-influenced gift shop when you exit the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and actually play for a while on that island you take the boat to. I can’t even count how many times I went to Disneyland in my youth. But, I can count how many times I boarded that boat and crossed over to Treasure Island: zero. Because we never had that kind of time. Give yourself a little time. And a nice hotel room nearby (we stayed at the Anaheim Marriot Suites) that you can catch a midday nap in.
2. Get Disney Fast Passes. The moment you enter the park. They make it so you don’t have to wait in a ridiculously long line at the 5 rides EVERY PERSON wants to ride over and over again.
3. Do the Jedi Training Academy. If you have Dudes (or chicks) who dig Star Wars take a break and check this out. They will LOVE it. So hard. Especially if they get picked. Being in the show was seriously the highlight of the trip for The Dudes. They are still not totally convinced that they aren’t actually Jedi knights.
4. Buy a Stroller. Us broke frugal-ish families can’t afford 4 days of renting a Disney stroller. So we trek to the local Wal-Mart and pay $15 for a cheap umbrella number. And, even though we have all sons, we buy the pink butterfly adorned one, because that’s all they have left (I bet the Anaheim Wal-Mart makes bank on umbrella strollers). We don’t care that it doesn’t recline (because we will use a sweater tie our kid’s head to it to keep him from falling out of it when he dozes off), we don’t care that there’s no sun shade (we have 8 bottles of Costco sunscreen on this trip and we want to use them), and we don’t care that it looks exactly the same as 1,428 other strollers in the Disneyland park. Until someone steals it from one of the sanctioned “Stroller Parking” lots. And then forces us to steal it back. Repeatedly. Until we finally figure out that we should mark it with a scrunchie. Don’t ask me why I had a scrunchie.
5. Don’t Skip California Adventure. Go at night. It’s best then. Tons of lights, and a neat light show with dancing water and stuff. Very relaxing and fun. But be sure to get a spot early. It’s best for seeing if you’re sorta up close. Six rows back and even your 10 year old won’t be able to catch a good glimpse. And neither will you if you’re say, about 5’3.
Other tidbits to note:
- Take a jacket. In SoCal it often gets cooler at night, or windy in the afternoon, or both. Anaheim isn’t super far from the water so the breeze tends to be cool. We were there in August. We had on our jackets.
- Bring snacks. Sure you wanna buy Disneyland churros and ice cream and those giant lollipops that no one ever eats because they taste nasty, but you also want to have money for souvenirs.
- Take lots of photos. And make sure MOM is in them too! If you’re like us, you’re NOT going back any time soon. And, you’re gonna need to prove to the kids that you did awesome stuff for them when they were young.
- Save It’s a Small World for a hot day or a tired moment. It’s perfect for catching a mom-nap (one that involves sitting or standing up and does not exceed 10 minutes) recharging.
- Be prepared to wait ages in line to get a picture w/the characters. It’s like trying to catch a photo with Brangelina. Mickey is that kind of a celebrity there.
Have travel plans this summer?!
Or, maybe you’re me and you’re not going anywhere so you need a sitter?!
Come join me for a Live Talk in The Motherhood about How to Find Summer Child Care (I know, because I just hired The Dudes a Manny, but I won’t tell you about him unless you come!).
*Today’s post was inspired in part by Mama Kat and her super inspirational Writer’s Workshop.
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