The kids got one big present (princess castle and BeyBlade system) plus a trip to Disneyland for their birthdays. They opened Minnie/Mickey pjs and mouse ears and this note on Sienna's birthday, a week before we went.
I was cracking myself up thinking that I'd make them mad (they are sick of visiting castles) before I made their day. They didn't really take the bait, they were mostly confused. But then they turned the page and had a fun reaction to the "Disneyland" announcement. Someday when I get on YouTube again, I'll upload the video documenting the reaction here...
This is the closest we will probably ever live to Disneyland and the kids have never been before. The last time I went, I was 13 and don't remember much. Adam went as an adult in California. We knew it was prime time (they're at the perfect ages) and prime location (Disneyland Paris is 3 hours drive from us) so we went for it and stayed three nights and two days over the second weekend in May.
First ride was Adam's old favorite: Dumbo!
People bursting into song and dance on the regular and generally wowing us!
The songs were in English and French. That was a fun twist. It's amazing to think of the dreams of one American man turning into reality and spreading smiles all over the globe. Nice work, Walt Disney (and the hundreds of people keeping the dream alive today).
It's a Small World, one of my oldie but goodie favorites! This was was really well done.
And standing in line is the worst!
Parade time in the evening. These floats. These costumes. These performers. This fake world of wonder. It's all pretty impressive.
Disneyland Paris is celebrating 25 years this year! And Adam is tickling Noah and Noah is loving it.
Pirates of the Caribbean. Eeearrggg.
The dragon under Sleeping Beauty's castle was adequately terrifying.
Thunder Mountain was a big hit!
I guess this is Paris's version of Dole Whip....
Suckers the size of your face.
My personal fave and brand new and only in Paris: the Ratatouille ride! It was so darling. I almost teared up. Really, really good!
Two days was perfect. I even asked the kids on the drive home if they'd want to do another day and they said no. We were adequately exhausted and we even had one midnight throw up! Sienna loooooved Five Guys burgers (there's a location just outside the gates of the park and we went there twice) but when followed by Rock 'n' Roll rollarcoaster three times and Tower of Terror two times, it's not really the best combination. Great trip! So glad we made it happen.
