Since I was told I likely had less than 6 months to live, life has been a little bit dreamlike. I had so many things I've wanted to do, but, hey - 6 months is relatively long - I could get around to it eventually. No big. And I've felt pretty good-healthy, positive, able to do the things I needed to.
But now, things have changed. Again. I am the boy who cried Wolf yet again. A few weeks ago I could walk, sit up, roll over, all the toddler milestones. Maybe even muster up a smile. Unfortunately, now, a bump on a log has more mobility than I do. It's clear that things have taken a turn for the worse. The cancer in my spine is siphoning the life out of me. Current estimate of my expiration date is in 4 - 6 weeks. And I've lost so much function that I feel I've wasted huge amounts of time I could have been spending with my family and kids.
So now it's time to kick it into high gear.
We're going to Disneyland! What are your best tips for doing Disneyland with kids? Any secret places we should know about? Kid favorite rides? Awesome food? Places to nap?
18 comments:
I love all the churros. They used to be able to dip them in this pink apple cinnamon sugar but I don't know if they do that anymore but it was amazing. I also have heard that the hot dogs (or was it corn dogs?) are amazing. Really random, but apparently like amazing. I've also heard that it's nice to stay at a Disneyland Resort with kids so it's not as hard to run back and nap children (or for yourself).
I have a friend who is Ariel at Disneyland and she is awesome. I'll see if I can get her tips because she knows all the secrets. ;)
Disneyland is perfect! Get the corn dogs and pickles!!!!
When I was last there, you could look up schedules for when the princesses would be at a certain location to take pictures. I was 21 at the time and thought it was great--I'm sure Lydia would love it even more.
I also noticed that Disneyland has some sort of Photopass service. I'm not clear on how it works, but it might be nice to have some photos of the trip that will include your whole family.
Just to warn you, as I was perusing the ride list today, I found that several of the best rides are currently closed for renovations, including Splash Mountain and Soaring over California.
You can maximize your trip by looking up the attractions ahead of time to see what your kids will actually like. There's a lot of stuff I would skip like the Tiki Room and anything called a 'treehouse.'
We are not Disneyland experts. We've only been once. Are you doing California Adventure too? If so, we loved Cars Land, basically everything about it (I also only have boys though, so they don't appreciate the princesses quite as much). I also remember loving the little roller coaster in the Looney Tune area. I was a little sad we never stayed up to watch one of the light/fireworks shows, but we had our kids nap in strollers so they were pretty wiped out by the end of the day. Have so much fun!
I haven't been to Disney since my senior year of high school, so I have no tips, but I hope you all have a wonderful trip! I'm glad things worked out for you to go.
We love the rainforest cafe! Have a fabulous time, we're praying for you!
To review what we talked about:
--Churros = bliss. Eat one a day at least for Dustin's sake.
--Mickey Mouse head-shaped ice-cream = yum and happy kids.
--Tea Cups s a super fast line--you can ride it 3 times in 30 minutes if the line ends where the white fence begins.
--Leather couches in Innovations (Tomorrowland) are such a good place for naps or a rest
--Use the baby/toddler room (one in Disneyland by corndog stand and one in Carsland)
--Playground in Toontown is a winner for young young kids
--If you ride the Ferris wheel get a swinging car!
--Look for the Thunder Mountain BBQ place--it costs $20-something, but you can fill up for all day with a late lunch (might need to get reservations the day before)
--Take LOTS of pictures!
--When in doubt, wait for a ride instead of a princess, unless you are super wanting to get a pic/autograph
Love you so much! I've really enjoyed having y'all in Utah, and Korean night was a BLAST!!!
The New Orleans Cafe is SUCH a good place to eat. Get the Monte Cristo and Pomme fries and share (trust me). California Adventure is really fun, especially Carsland. Fantasyland is where we spend most of our time. Skip the storybook ride. And the Nemo submarine ride. It's TERRIBLE and really boring especially for little ones.
Fun tip, the Ghirardelli ice cream shop in California Adventure gives you a free chocolate just for walking in. You don't even need to buy anything.
Oh and about the only real kid roller coaster is in Mickey's Toon Town and it's called The Go Coaster. Hailey's 2 favorite rides are the Go Coaster and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree in Carsland.
So…no one's really commented on this aspect of your post, but I want to. :) Not that I have ANY experience with this, but when you say you feel like you have wasted lots of time that you could have spent with family, that is Satan speaking! 4-6 weeks isn't a lot of time, but just know that I am praying for you and your family. :)
On a happier note, I LOVE disneyland. Your kids are going to have so much fun! I hope to see lots of pictures!
The Dole Whip at the Tiki Juice Bar cannot be missed. Pineapple ice cream in pineapple juice? yes please.
Have an an amazing trip. You are incredible.
Bonnie! I have no original tips about Disneyland, but I would highly recommend just following your children's lead and watch their expressions. That will be the most important part of the trip, and quite honestly, I wish that I lived my life that way more.
You are so amazing and I feel so honored to be able to learn from you. Love you and I am always thinking about and praying for you!
By the looks of your posts it seems like you have had a rich and wonderful six months full of family and friends :). I've loved reading about all of your fun times and projects! You are amazing! We love you and pray for you guys!
So we have actually never been to Disneyland but we are planning a trip later in the summer. Our friends are huge Disneyland people and this is some of their advice:
World of Color (do it the first day because you might want to do it more than once)
To get to the best spot you have to have fast pass (get it by the Grizzly Rapid Run)
Get this in California Adventure-- they'll run out in an hour
Bugs Land
Good for smaller children
Spray park
Lots of shade
Things to do to take a break:
Aladdin show in California Adventure (Indoors, dark, air conditioning)
It's tough being a bug (Also indoors, air conditioned)
California Adventure: learn how to draw a character
Ferris wheels is awesome
As a Cast Member I can tell you all about wonderful world of Disneyland. There is so much to tell you, so just send me an email at Haolepinos(@)gmail(.)com
oh Bonnie. In some ways, I am celebrating as I think of how long ago it was you called and said you had cancer-- Rafe was still a baby then, and now he's such a big boy. You really fought hard, had so much support, and had the opportunity to be there for some great milestones in your kid's lives--more birthdays and Christmases and Mother's days, first steps, learning to read, potty training etc-- than we may have hoped for at first diagnosis. I cry when I think of how much they will miss you. We will always treasure your friendship and I think of you often. I hope you feel peace and hope and comfort as you prepare for the final days and moments of your beautiful life. oh, and yes, Disney is fun. enjoy that with your kids! :)
Love you, Bonsai.
http://dustinlauranfuller.blogspot.com/2015/03/contacts-and-perspectives.html
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