Rodeo Days Weekend @ Disneyland

Disneyland 2010 was a hit. We planned well in advance to allow Jonathan a chance to experience Disneyland before his 5th birthday in April. We talked about getting away during the Rodeo Days to escape the crowds that we experienced there in the summertime. We had a friend from college offer us their condo in San Diego for free so we decided that now was the time. Mickey and Mini welcomed the Rodeo Days Hampton Family on Main Street with opened arms and permanent happy smiles.

The happiest place on earth did not disappoint with the whole family enjoying every minute. We decided to map out our plan of attack to maximize our time on the popular rides first and then enjoy the other attractions later. We hit the Indiana Jones ride first after grabbing some fast passes, then we hit the Pirates of the Caribbean, Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, The Cars, It's a Small World, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan.

I tried to beat Mini off of me but she would not let go and Tia was a little nervous around the famous Mickey Mouse.

Joshua and Dad let Tia, Mom and Jonathan go first on Thunder Mountain while we waited where we could see them come out of the earthquake zone. We heard screams and could see their hands up in the air. When they were done we listened to all of their stories of what they saw and experienced then it was time for Jonathan, Tia and Dad to do it all over again since the lines were short. We grabbed fast passes after we left for later!

It's a small world was a nice calm ride and proved to be a favorite of Joshua's. The clock struck 11:45 while we were in line and all the characters came out and danced around. The ride was still the same since I was a kid with a few extra characters from some of the movies. Kind of like captain Jack Sparrow all over the place in the pirates of the Caribbean. I liked it the old way. Classic. Jonathan was a little freaked out by the "skelekin" that talked before the waterfall. He seemed to squeeze a little extra close during the second waterfall.

Celebrate! A Street Party. We decided to wait for the parade on Main Street and get a good spot. My two buddies made sure they did not lose each other. I hope they will have some memories to see how they loved each other when they were small. While we waited for the parade we browsed through the stores looking for treasures. Tia spotted some ear rings and was counting her money to see if she had enough. Jonathan liked the swords and Dad didn't like any of the prices. Ouch!

We met the St. Peter Family and watched the parade together. Jonathan and Kameha were picked to join the party and went out and danced in the parade while we all cheered from the sidelines. We saw the Greenwell's there also.

We had lunch in the car and let the little ones take a short nap. We found Mini by the fire station striking a pose in her giant shoes.

Tia and Jonathan were in the Peter Pan ship ahead of Mom, Dad and Joshua and we didn't think the picture would work but it did. A lost boy and Wendie were flying high above London. We waited about 30 minutes for this ride that lasted about 5 minutes.

Ruth took the little ones on Dumbo's train ride and the Merry go round while Tia and Dad hit Thunder Mountain with fast passes again. Tia kept her arms up from the moment we sat down to the end where they lifted the bar and kicked us out. She and Dad screamed during most of the scary parts! Crazy girl liked the rush and is now a junkie. Joshua cried when Ruth took him off his horsey.

Waiting in line for Dumbo. Jonathan and Tia rode in one Dumbo and Joshua and Dad rode in the other Dumbo. Mom took pictures of the Dumbos.

3 Dumbos in a Dumbo.

The sword in the stone proved to be too much for the three of them. No magical powers today.

They found other swords to conquer the galaxy. Tia and I jumped on Space Mountain with our fast passes again after we rode the Buzz light year ride. The boys had fun shooting the targets with the guns. The fireworks were cancelled due to the winds so the kids decided to spend their remaing dollars on light sabers that glowed in the dark. Tia bought some pink ear rings that she spotted earlier in the day and couldn't stop talking about them all day. We told them to wait until the end of the night so they didn't have to carry them around.

Tickets to Disneyland $140.

Gas to drive to California and back $125.

A beautiful smile at the end of a good memory.....Priceless.