Disneyland In Photos
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I surprised the kids with a trip to Disneyland for Spring Break.
I'll share more of the details on all that another day, today I just want to share some of my favorite images.
So much magic.
We went with my sister & Jeffrey and their daughter Gabrielle and our friend/nanny Katie.
Loved getting the chance to go back to the park at night with Simon and Katie while my sister stayed with the girls at the hotel.
The Bob stroller works for little and big kids.
I'm not going to pretend that the trip was all awesomeness. Three-year-olds, ten-year-olds and adults all get tired and cranky - even (and maybe especially) at the happiest place on earth.
But man oh man was there a lot of joy and magic.
Like Simon getting to do Jedi Training and having a light saber battle with Darth Maul.
Or Anna getting to have a princess makeover.
And then have lunch with the princesses.
Or a three-year-old getting to drive a car and both of us laughing hysterically the whole time.
Really just being together was a big part of the magic.
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103 comments
That's so awesome! What a great surprise. You sure captured that joy and magic on your kids' faces.
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:) (we're going to disney this summer for the first time ever!) these pictures stir up even more excitement! i love how you are in so many of them. also, i'd love to know what kind of camera you toted around and am curious if it was your big one. i'm nervous about taking mine (even though i consider it my every day camera). it's the only one i have. wondering if i should invest in a little pocket Point & Shoot before we leave. thoughts?
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We've been to Disney World four times (we live near Ali's sister on the east coast). First time I went I took only a point and shoot. It worked well at the time because it was only my husband and I and pictures didn't consume me. Second time we had one child (7 at the time) and I carried my SLR (film not digital). Pain to carry - yes but worth it. I have great shots from that trip. What I did to carry it/protect it from water was buy a larger camera bag and that did double duty. It held my SLR, film, handy wipes, bandaids, tissues, etc so I didn't have to carry 2 bags. Third and fourth time we had 2 kids and we carried both a camera bag for our DSLR (just big enough for the camera and lens) and a backpack for other "gear." I carried one bag and my husband carried the other. Not fun but I'd do it again. Our SLR pictures are wonderful. My advice take the best camera you have that you are willing to carry - hand YOUR camera over to the staff and they will take pictures of you with characters with YOUR camera and that can save you some money. If you're willing to spend the money to go to Disney and pictures are important to you, you won't regret the extra "baggage."
wow. thanks for the quick answer ali! and iPhone is on my wish list next time i upgrade (december 2012, i think). anywho. did you just wear the big one on your being at all times? or have it tucked into a safe camera bag/sling? gosh, i feel so clueless. i know i'll be disappointed if i don't take it, but i have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis that is attacking my hands something fierce. so i know holding it all day for 5 days straight (we're going to Disney World & all associated parks), that i'm at risk for dropping it because of the pain/weakness in my hands.
I brought my big one and was super happy to have it along. I also used my iphone, which I was also glad about :).
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WOW! We were at Disney last week and I saw a lady who really reminded me of Ali Edwards and I thought to myself "How stalkerish to think you see people from blogs in real life!!" Now, I am thinking maybe I wasn't crazy and actually did see you! Ha! :)
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I'm feelin' the magic! The fireworks silhouette-awesome. Anna getting her nails done-priceless. Her happiness is leaping off the screen!
We just inherited a big box of princess dresses from my sister's family. Let the games begin!
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There is something so extra special about Memories created at Disney with cousins! The kids will never forget it! Thankfully our entire family loves Disney. Living in Florida enables us to spend LOTS of birthdays at Disney World! <3
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Glad you had a great time. You deserve it. I am going to DW in a week & was wondering about cameras too. I have an iPhone and a dSLR but the thought of lugging the big camera concerns me but my kids are older (6, 9 & 12). Thoughts?
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Oops! Typos ;). *to port, *even with it fully loaded...
Sorry bout that!!
I brought my dslr and a point and shoot along. We used the Passport Sling by Lowepro ton port everything around. It was bug enough for both cameras, and additional lens, two wallets, sunglasses, a small pack of wet wipes, my daughter's autograph book and pen, and a small water bottle. Even without fully loaded it wasn't too heavy to tote around all day, and my husband didn't mind carrying it either :). You can find it on Lowepro.com
I even took a tripod for capturing nighttime photos of the fireworks and rides with all the lights on...
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what an amazing trip to have with fab photos to keep all those memories
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What a wonderful surprise that must have been for them: there's a lovely Mum. I loved the photo of Simon's Jedi moment, and Anna having her nails done! So effective to have a colour and black/white mix. Glad you enjoyed your family time too.
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Great share Ali. Love the photo of you with the great big grin. Go on going forward, it's inspirational :) I look forward to seeing the details. Love the one of Anna and the makeover and Simon after his star wars experience, smashing. Jen xx
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Love your photos! Living in Florida, we have taken the kids to Disney many times and made many magical memories as well as some "not so magical ones!" My daughter has Aspergers and before she was diagnosed, we could never figure out why she refused to go on any "inside" rides - but wanted to obsessively spin on the Tea Cups over and over again....now we realize it was one of the many quirks that led to diagnosis. So we enjoy mostly outside stuff...one thing we do sometimes is "transportation day" - we just ride the monorail, and everything that goes up and down Main Street - the double decker bus, the horsedrawn carriage, the train that goes through the park,the go carts, Dumbo and of course the Tea Cups - then we watch the parad, fireworks, and call it a day! We didn't worry that "lunch with the princesses" actually involved no eating for her, it was the fun that filled us up. (And I got to eat her chocolate glass slipper desert!) Thanks for the chance to relive those memories in my heart today as I enjoyed your photos and post! If you've never been at Christmas time, Disney is amazing 1st two weeks of December, and lots less crowded! The decor and the characters dressed for the holidays is awesome.
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Hi Paula - Chris and I took Simon to Disneyworld the second week of December back in 2006 and it was awesome. Really great time of year for sure.
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Love the photos and can't wait to read the future post. Those cars are so popular with the kids. Glad Simon was picked for the Jedi. As a mom of 3 girls this is something they were never interested in doing. Especially loved the photo of Anna getting the princess treatment. I really appeciate the extra mile that the cast members go to help make a Disney visit so magical. Hope you guys had a chance to get a Dole
Whip. Soooo good!
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LOVE LOVE LOVE the memories you shared. We are planning a Disney trip this summer. I'm curious about the place you ate at where Simon was drinking from the R2D2 cup. My kids would go crazy over that one! Can't wait to see some of your other photos. Love the sharing you do with us, Ali. Looks like you had a fantastic week of life and memory making.
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It's called Pizza "something" - Simon kept calling it Pizza Planet (like Toy Story) but that's not actually it's name. It's in Tomorrowland right next to the entrance to Space Mountain. They have decent salads there too. That R2D2 comes with a pudding - Simon skipped that and we just put his drink in there instead.
Thanks for the response, Ali! We'll be on the lookout. My husband and I were laughing when you mentioned Pizza Planet. Disney should rename the restaurant Pizza Planet. That would be such a great fit! Thanks again!
I think it was "Pizza Port" :)
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I had to post a comment :)
a) loved your brutal honesty about its not all rainbows & unicorns. True Dat, but overall, happiness at the happiest place on earth - FOR SURE!
b) you look beautiful Sister! beautiful! and your cherubs are growing into gorgeous little people!
c) the gold sandals - the saltwaters! um, hellow?!?! spectacular! Where did she find those? am now on the hunt, those are the cutest!!!
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Hi Erika :). They are awesome. Adult sizes here: http://mysaltwatersandals.com/index.html
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Nothing like Disney to give you alittle bump UP!
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Hi Ali!
The "Magic Kingdom" is the happiest place on earth. It brings to mind many previous trips with niece and nephews and family. It also remings me of the quote "we dont stop playing because we are old but we get old from not playing" whether disney, Lego land or skipping in the street, dancing or singing on a whim,,,,all is play and makes this lady happy!
Hugs, blessings
sharon Dryjanski Phoenix, AZ
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Awesome :)
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Your pictures are awesome. Remember these moments forever.
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So much fun!! I love Disneyland as much my kids. Looks like you guys had a wonderful time!
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Oh my goodness I loved this post! The photos are gorgeous! (Any tips on the photos?) But seeing you all having so much fun and in so many photos together, that's priceless! I can't wait to see and hear more.
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Awesome Ali! Love it!
I really need to record my stories of my kiddos melting down at Disney...the disneypolice stopped to say they would ticket my son...AND he missed autopia because of behavior...but oh how we LOVE IT and the magic!
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