Disneyland With Ella - Day 1 and 2

Day one at Disneyland!  We checked in to our Hotel late at night after flying in.  I was driving around Anaheim looking for a disposable camera for a couple of hours so we didn't get to bed until a little after midnight.  At least she had a couple of disposable cameras ready to go which she was thrilled about.  We were up early, got ready, had breakfast and caught the shuttle.  We made it to the park before it opened.  Let the fun begin!

Ready for the rides!  We went on Star Tours, Space Mountain along with a bunch of the kiddie rides on day one.

This is where Ella started carrying her camera around.  I wanted her to keep it in the back pack until she was actually taking a picture but she really wanted to hang on to it.  Knowing Ella, I tried to convince her to let me hold on to it.  Sure enough, we were walking and it slipped out of her hands, flew about 10 feet and slid under a ladies motor scooter/wheel chair.  I knew it was about to get crushed. But no!  The lady was quick on the draw and slammed on her brakes.  Camera saved!  Phew!  Ella would have probably cried.  Disney magic in full effect :)

This was a fun picture wither her and Minnie.

Great weather in Anaheim during our trip.  94 degrees for a couple of days and then high 80's.  We played at Disneyland until about 1pm and then took a swim break at the Hotel.  It was perfect.

Showered, dressed, ready to close down the park.  Good weather meant that the park stayed open until 11pm.

Trying to replicate the statues.

Autopia or Autotopia, whatever it's called, this was a favorite for Ella.  This was our first go at it.  She really dug getting to drive, she was loving it but she was taking it pretty seriously too which cracked me up.  

Mid day Strawberries and cream drink from Starbucks for Ella and Chocolate Chip frapuccino for me.  This was another daily mid day treat for us.

Toy Story Mania, another favorite.  We did this 4 or 5 times.  She loved shooting it up and checking out our pictures.

Got our spot saved and ready for Fantasmic, the night show at Disneyland.  Ella was actually really good waiting there for 45 minutes.  I met a guy from Covington there next to us and chatted it up...work talk and family talk.  He even commented on how good Ella was.

Ella thoroughly enjoyed the night show.  She talked about it quite a bit throughout the trip.

Closing down Disneyland....time to get some zzzz's

To bed after midnight, up early and ready to go!  Heidi and I went to Disneyland/California Adventure back in February and wanted to do the new cars ride.  The fast passes were completely gone an hour after the park opened so I was set on making sure Ella and I got to go on it!  It was crazy again!  The fast pass line was 45 minutes long as soon as the park opened.  I decided to grab Ella and hurry to the line for the ride.  Good call!  We waited just less than 30 minutes and BOOM...we're on!  Super fun ride.  The first half of the ride Ella kept saying "when are we going to go fast"

Then they have you stop next to the car your racing and you're off.  She had her head pinned back and I was laughing my head off.  Here you go Ella!  You asked for it, we are going fast!  She started to relax a bit and was laughing at herself at the end and after the ride.

Taking picks while waiting to get on at Radiator Springs Racers/Cars ride

We won our race too!  BOOM!  Winners!

No pictures of one of the best parts of the trip....Ella went on Tower of Terror!  I'm sure it will be awhile before I can get her back on there because now she knows what she's getting into.  Just before we went on we talked with a lady outside while we had a snack.  The lady says to Ella- YOU ARE GOING ON THAT SCARY RIDE?!!!??  I'm behind Ella doing the NOOOO wave, like NO lady NO, don't freak her out.  She tried to back pedal real quick and said oh no it's not bad, you'll love it.  Hahaha.  The ride started and Ella was as stiff as a cement.  Her arms and everything were all locked up.  I was holding her and hoping she wouldn't pee her pants.  She made it!  She was super freaked out but by the time we walked out she was laughing again.  She also had something to brag to her Mom, friends and family about.  She went on Tower of Terror.  I can't drag Heidi on to a ride like that to save my life but my super spunky 6 year old did it.  Go Ella!  I had her jump on the phone and brag about it which helped get over the mini traumatization.  For the next few hours I took her on kiddie rides in Bugs Land and then Monsters ride.  She asked for the next few hours if the ride we were waiting for went up and down like that one ride, referring to Tower of Terror.  After a few hours of just little rides she forgot about it.  Fun times.

This was our way of making Kaiya super jealous.  Sending over photos of the Muppets stuff.  Kaiya loves the Muppets!  We saw the 3D or 4D show which was fun.

Another favorite for Ella- the Ferris wheel.  Serves me right because ferris wheels are the one ride that make me nervous.  The first time or two around my stomach gets all nervous.

 Happy girl

 Ella also like soaring over California.  It's a pretty relaxing ride, nice break from the heat too.

 3 PM we were ready for our pool break.  I had a tough time getting Ella out of the pool everyday.  Like most kids, she loves the water.

 Night time on the ferris wheel.  Love it when the lights come one, couple that with a night that's about 80 degrees.....perfect.

Ready for the night show at California Adventure, World of Color.  Ella was absolutely pooped by the end of the show.  Another late night but worth every second.