After years of empty promises of taking Taytum to Disneyland (four to be exact and it happens..she did just go to Hawaii not to0 long ago) we finally made the impromptu trip. While laying in bed I asked Anthony if he would want to go if I paid for the trip. He said sure if you pay for it. (we know how that goes lol) So… I booked some tickets and there was no backing out after that! Non refundable…oops!

I tried to do some quick reading and checked with friends on where to go, how to travel with a toddler, what to bring, etc. but I learn everything better when I just do it myself and learn as I go.

Mistake number one:  Do not wait last minute to book a hotel, ESPECIALLY around Halloween. We flew in on October 31st and Disneyland has there Halloween party going on so everything is unavailable. I took the advice of a customer service representative for Disneyland and booked a hotel at the Majestic Garden. It looked decent on the photos and she said it was right behind Disneyland’s gates. I HAVE NO IDEAD HOW THAT’S POSSIBLE.. IT WAS A 10 MINUTE DRIVE JUST TO GET TO THE PARKING GARAGE FOR DISNEY. THENNNNNNN ANOTHER SHUTTLE RIDE TO THE GATES. But hey. I waited last minute, and didn’t really do a lot of research. Next time….I won’t just click on anything. The hotel room did not match what I saw online, nor did it match the reps recommendation.

Mistake number two: Do not use the parking garage and drive your rental car to the theme park when you have a shuttle for free from your hotel. The parking garage is 18.00 per day and you STILL have to take a shuttle from the garage to the gates.

Mistake number three: DO not go without extra clothes for your toddler, or a sweater for yourself in November. The weather was amazing during the day, but the evening was chilly and I made the mistake of not packing any extras for a full day at the park. Benson threw a tantrum and I spilt my vitamin water all over his face while attempting to grab him before he threw himself off of the stroller. I gave him a sucker to keep him happy which ended up all over his clothes and body.. sticky mess everywhere, and by the time the color show started we were all freezing.

 Other than that the first day was AMAZING. Taytum just hit 48″ tall so she can ride everything. She loves California Screamin. She is a roller coaster girl! She wanted to ride it over and over.  Anthony and Taytum rode Tower of Terror and she came down terrified of that ride. My brother and I rode it next and I don’t think I even opened my eyes..I have no idea how Tatum go through it without peeing her pants!! I am so glad we went when we did. She is finally tall enough for the rides, but still young enough to love the magic of it all. Benson did surprisingly well. He wasn’t used to so much stimulation so naps were out of the question. He wanted to run around like a crazy man, he loved all the shows, and the rides that he could ride he was in awe over. By the time we got back to the hotel…around 11… I gave both kids a bath and they quickly fell asleep.

Day 2 We wake up and Tay is anxious to get to the park, purple lined her eyes but she swears she wasn’t tired.  We decide today that we will skip paying the 18.00 parking garage fee and take the hotels free shuttle from the hotel to the Disneyland gate. WAY better decision. I also brought the diaper bag along. Everyone has a change of clothes, sweater, there is snacks, diapers, wipes, sippy, blanket, extra binki, ergo baby backpack,  and an extra bottle of milk on ice. Benson was still so worn out from the previous days activities that he was already sleeping by the time we got the the gates. He slept soundly in his stroller for close to two hours. Then slept some more throughout the day while being held, on rides, in the stroller, anywhere he could sleep he was… and at about 8pm he was pretty much out for the remainder of the evening. He rode Dumbo the Flying Elephant, did the carousel ride, Winnie the Pooh, Tarzan’s Treehouse, Pirates of the Caribbean, Autopia, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster. Taytum’s favorite ride was Big Thunder (another roller coaster) and Splash Mountain.

I asked if she had a least favorite but she said she loved everything. That girl can go go go! Towards the evening the weather took a turn and it started raining so the firework show and parade were cancelled. Total bummer, but on the plus side lines died down and we were able to get to some attractions that we didn’t have fast passes for without waiting. I think we could have spent more time at the parks..like maybe done one more day but two days was good for Benson. He was worn out.

Mistake number four: Do not put your cell phone in the stroller cup holder where your son in a fit of rage can throw it…..that will end up badly for you. Benson’s new favorite thing to do while in a tantrum is to throw things and I didn’t anticipate that it would be my phone…so I left Disneyland with a shattered phone screen. LOVELY.

On our last day in California we drove to Huntington Beach after checking out of the hotel. Tay and I love the beach and Benson has never been so it was a must for us before going home. Benson did attempt to eat sand…he quickly learned that was a terrible idea. I don’t know why that child has no fear but fully clothed and unaware that its a little chilly he headed straight for the waves. We tried to pull him back when his feet hit the water but he crumbled beneath us in a tantrum and face planted into the water. Smooth Benson.

Taytum drew faces of us in the sand…Anthony, Me, her, and Benson…with a frown face because he was fussy. HAHA. He really was beyond tired. He fell asleep inside my sweater while we watched the ocean waves break on the shore. Right next to the pier they have bike rentals, shopping, and volleyball nets throughout the beach. There is plenty to do for the day but before we knew it we needed to head back to the airport. On the way home we took an evening flight which worked out so well for traveling with Benson. I now know that I will be taking evening flights with him everywhere we need to travel. He slept the entire time. It was dark and he fell asleep before we even left the ground.

Im happy to be home and I think the kids are too. We had a lot of fun packed into just three days. It really was so much better than I planned for, a little chaotic at times but for the most part everyone had a good time. Traveling with Benson really wasn’t too bad, and Taytum was a peach the whole time. HAPPY family!! I can’t wait to adventure with them again 🙂