Saying goodbye to Disneyland

Oh how I hate to say goodbye to this place. 

When I was younger, I considered moving 

to LA so I could apply for a job there. 

But I knew that working at my favorite place everyday could ruin 

the special feeling I get whenever I go to the park.  

We finished up our Disneyland night 

with the spectacular 

Fantasmic Show.

I was eager to see the new fire breathing dragon, 

and considered getting the special seating 

tickets available here since I didn't 

have another adult with me to hold our spots. 

They are very pricey though at $59 a ticket and not refundable.

Not that it was much of an option because I didn't 

have it in my Disney budget.
I only considered it because I wouldn't
have another adult to watch our spots for two hours,
and knew it would be impossible for the kids to sit that long.
I really wanted to see Fantasmic.

Here is what the Disney site says about 

Premium Viewing:

Reserve your prime seat and tempting dessert sampler with this delightful premium viewing option! Take in the show from an elevated section near the anchor by Café Orleans and the French Market. Call the reservation line at (714) 781-4400 for ticket prices and to reserve your seat up to 30 days before the show. Ticket does not include regular park admission. Reserved seating is first come, first served, so get there early! 

Even if you pay for these pricey tickets, you still have to get in line
early to get the best spot among the seats.  I had heard of some
people that were unhappy with their spots because they
checked in too late.  Once you reserve your spot though,
the Disney staff holds your chairs for you so you can enjoy the park
before the show starts.  Since there was no
guarantee we would have a front row seat,
I decided to take my chances on finding
my own area to sit and searched the Disney
discussion sites and staff.
They gave me several tips, but none of
them worked out.

If you go to this show with another adult, here are 

the tips I learned about from a Disney employee.  

Eat dinner around 6pm at the

lovely River Belle Terrace,

(which has the most amazing carved turkey sandwiches!)

and snag a table outside.  It's a perfect spot to view 

the Fantasmic show and you'll have chairs!

 

Park Grandma at a table or switch off with another adult 

to hold your spots, and do some rides 

while you're waiting for the show to start.

 

You can stay at the River Belle Terrace after the show is over 

and view the fireworks too.

We tried to go there around 7pm 

but all the tables were taken.

I was also given an insiders tip to sit on the steps 

going up to the second floor at Cafe Orleans

but I was quickly escorted off by the Fantasmic bouncers 

when I tried that one.

If the River Belle Terrace doesn't work out, 

you will need to grab a spot right at the river 

front, preferably across from center stage for the best view.

Luckily I was able to get front row seats toward 

the side with our special pass 

and I'm really glad we didn't splurge on the 

seat tickets.   Waiting an hour for the show to start

wasn't too bad since the kids were tired out and wanted 

to sit down on the ground.  Baila and Izzy were cozy in 

the stroller with blankets.  And this time there were 

no potty incidents!

 

I hadn't seen this show in many years, 

and it's changed quite a bit.

Here is a clip of the new dragon!

During the summertime they advertise "Nightastic" for all the shows. 

Here's a video giving some information and 

a little history of this elusive dragon:

We loved the Fantasmic Show and the kids were awake for it all. 

It might be too scary and loud for babies and young toddlers though.

The World of Color is a better pick if you have children 

who are easily frightened by sights and sounds. 

After Fantasmic, the girls begged me
to take them on Space Mountain again.
Even the special pass line was 40 minutes long,
but we were able to sit down while waiting.

and they're off!

While we were off having fun at Disneyland, 

Lindsey took the mini van and checked in 

to our Laguna Beach Hotel. 

We had Priceline bid it for a great deal since 

it was the only hotel of it's star range in that area.  

We were guaranteed to get it! 

Lindsey had only wanted to do one day 

at Disneyland (which she regretted after 

having such a pleasant time the day before) 

and instead took Vivien to the beach by herself. 

 

Our room was very nice

The huge jacuzzi tub was right near the 2 Queen beds.  The kids couldn't wait to see it!

Lindsey had a quiet relaxing day,
but wished she would have been with us.

We did to.

Laguna Beach

Meanwhile back at Disneyland,

it was 10:45pm and we still hadn't eaten dinner.  

With all the snacks and large lunch at Ariel's Grotto, along 

with long lines, we had forgotten about it. 

The hunger pains suddenly hit us all at the same time.

We headed over to the Plaza Inn and they were still serving food. 

We ordered all the comfort foods, and those mashed potatoes 

and green beans hit the spot.  Cafeteria food 

becomes delicious when you're ravenous with hunger.

One of my favorite parts of the Disney vacation 

is helping the kids pick out their souvenirs. 

We usually shop at the Disney pin store on Main Street 

after the park has closed.

This year for the first time, 

I bought each kid their own necklace, 

and one pin for each time we've come. 

We chose pins that best represented what 

they loved that year. 

I also gave them a little spending money to 

buy their own toy, but the amount was based 

on behavior.  If I had given three strikes, it removed 

a dollar of their souvenir money.  Luke and Lainey didn't have 

any money after only two days, and it started at $20! 

I did buy them the pin necklace and hats since 

those are traditional items.  

They were grateful to pick out the pins that night. 

Baila had fallen in love with this 

Jasmine Barbie Doll from our first day, and 

could talk of nothing else.  

She was overjoyed to have it in her arms at last!

I love the shops on Main Street!

Baila's pins

Lainey's pin necklace with pocket for her pass.

her favorite rides the three times we've come

Isabelle chose Micky Mouse and the Matterhorn

The story on this Minnie Mouse is funny.  Isabelle had coveted 

Vivien's Minnie Mouse the minute Lindsey had bought  it
at Downtown Disney the night we arrived in Anaheim.  

When we were strolling around the park with it the next day, 

all of a sudden we noticed Isabelle had stolen it from Viv
and was pretending like it was hers.
(she had been holding it for who knows how long)

By that point it was dirty so we had to buy Vivien a new one. 

Minnie goes everywhere with her. 

After covering as much park territory as 

we could in 2 days time,

Lindsey picked us up around midnight and we had 

to say goodbye to our beloved Disneyland. 

Can't wait to go back!